Owkin Advances AI in Drug Discovery with Launching $50 Million MOSAIC Project

Owkin, an AI biotech firm, is partnering with NanoString Technologies and other notable cancer research institutions to spearhead the MOSAIC project. MOSAIC seeks to improve our understanding of tumor structure through the integration of spatial omics and artificial intelligence (AI) into cancer research.

Image credit: Owkin

Spatial omics presents a means to analyze tumors at an almost single-cell resolution, unveiling the location and molecular activity of both tumor cells and surrounding microenvironment. By generating and scrutinizing spatial omics data in combination with multimodal patient data, MOSAIC aims to facilitate the development of new treatment strategies for some of the most challenging cancers.

A distinctive aspect of the MOSAIC project is its large-scale application of spatial omics technology. Owkin is leading the way with a $50 million investment into the initiative. It will process 7,000 tumor samples from patients, which far exceeds the extent of currently existing spatial omics datasets.

On the technological front, NanoString Technologies offers their GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiler and CosMx™ Spatial Molecular Imager platforms to the MOSAIC project. These state-of-the-art tools provide the project with support for biomarker discovery and translational research, facilitating the precise measurement and mapping of molecular expression within tumor samples.

Utilizing its deep expertise in machine learning, Owkin will construct a data platform capable of handling the voluminous data produced by the project. By applying advanced techniques such as deep neural networks, Owkin's platform is poised to reveal potential treatment pathways and therapeutic approaches, further elevating the role of AI in drug discovery.

The MOSAIC project will initially focus on cancers with substantial unmet medical needs. These include non-small cell lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, ovarian cancer, glioblastoma, mesothelioma, and bladder cancer. 

Following the initial research phase, MOSAIC aims to share its standardized data generation and analysis methods with the broader biomedical community, promoting further progress in oncology research.

By bringing together expertise from AI, data science, oncology, and technology sectors, the MOSAIC project, led by Owkin, showcases AI as a fundamental component in the continuous advancement of drug discovery and cancer research.

Topics: Emerging Technologies