AI
Orakl Oncology: Merging Data & Biology for Cancer Drugs
2024-12-03
According to recent studies, cancer incidence is witnessing a significant upward trend, especially among younger adults. This poses a major challenge as most new drug compounds struggle to make it through clinical trials. French entrepreneur Fanny Jaulin, seen in the picture above on the right, believes that the root of the problem lies in the design of clinical trials. "Just because a drug doesn't succeed in clinical trials doesn't mean it's not a good drug," she told TechCrunch. This emphasizes the urgency for better methods to test new molecules, especially for cancers that have seen little innovation in recent decades.
Unlocking the Potential of Cancer Treatment through Innovative Trials
Clinical Trial Design and Its Impact on Drug Success
Cancer incidence is on the rise, particularly among younger adults. This trend highlights the importance of effective clinical trial designs. Most new drug compounds fail to progress through these trials, leaving many potential treatments on the sidelines. Fanny Jaulin's insights shed light on this issue, suggesting that a more innovative approach is needed. By understanding the limitations of current trial designs, we can work towards developing more successful drug development processes.Studies have shown that a significant number of promising drug candidates fail in clinical trials due to various factors related to trial design. These factors can include the selection of inappropriate patient populations, the lack of accurate endpoints, and the inability to capture the complexity of cancer. Fanny Jaulin's startup, Orakl Oncology, is addressing these challenges by applying AI to clinical trial design. Their approach aims to improve the success rate of drug trials and bring more effective treatments to patients.The Intersection of Data and Biology in Cancer Treatment
Orakl Oncology operates at the intersection of data and biology, setting it apart from companies that focus solely on one aspect. By combining these two fields, Orakl is able to take into account the unique characteristics of each tumor while also considering the complexity of cancer. This hybrid approach involves working with avatars that combine the background of real patients with tissue, using organoids as miniaturized, simplified in vitro versions of an organ for trials.The data layer of Orakl's approach includes around 40 variables per patient, helping to compensate for the relatively smaller corpus compared to larger competitors. With an initial focus on colorectal and pancreatic cancers, Orakl is laying the foundation for its commercialization efforts. By integrating data and biology, Orakl aims to provide more accurate predictions of patient responses to drug candidates and validate the effectiveness of treatments.Commercialization Plans and Funding
Orakl plans to commercialize two products: O-Predict and O-Validate. O-Predict helps customers forecast patient response to a drug candidate, making it particularly useful for drug developers. O-Validate, on the other hand, works in the opposite direction and can serve AI- and data-led biotech companies. These commercialization plans will be funded by the seed round recently raised, in addition to the €3 million pre-seed round secured in 2023. Led by European VC fund Singular and with non-dilutive funding from Bpifrance including the Grand Prix i-Lab, Orakl has raised a total of nearly €15 million.The majority of the proceeds will be directed towards building a commercial team to close contracts. This is in line with Orakl's long-term goal of unblocking the precision medicine discovery process and getting as many drugs as possible to patients. With cancer becoming a chronic disease and the therapeutic arsenal currently insufficient, Orakl's efforts are crucial in advancing the field of cancer treatment.While most of the attention is on the commercial aspects, it's important to remember that Orakl's work is driven by a passion to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. By combining innovation, data, and biology, Orakl is paving the way for a more effective and personalized approach to cancer treatment. Their efforts hold great promise for the future of cancer research and patient care.