A Cyprus-based startup is making strides in personalised cancer treatment with its AI-powered platform, Prognostic. This innovative tool aims to analyse tumour stiffness through ultrasound imaging, enabling clinicians to predict how patients will respond to various therapies.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Led by Dr Chrysovalantis Voutouri, the founder and CEO, along with professor Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos and AI expert Kyprianos Dimou, the team has combined their expertise in cancer biophysics, medical imaging, and artificial intelligence. Their goal is to transform oncology care by providing early, non-invasive insights that facilitate better treatment choices.
Personalised cancer: Significant Milestones in Development
Over the past year, the Prognostic team has achieved several key milestones. The first was the successful development and validation of an AI model that utilises Shear Wave Elastography data to predict treatment responses in preclinical models of breast and pancreatic cancer. This achievement represents a noteworthy advancement in translational oncology.
The second milestone involved pilot testing this model on preclinical and early clinical imaging datasets in partnership with local clinical institutions such as the German Oncology Center and the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre. Results have shown a strong predictive performance, reinforcing the model’s potential utility in clinical settings.
Institutional backing from innovation bodies like Cyprus Seeds and Conception X has significantly supported the project. This support has not only fostered the research’s commercial viability but has also helped refine their go-to-market strategy and identify suitable clinical partners.
Aiming for Clinical Validation
In the coming year, the primary objective for the Prognostic team is to elevate the platform’s technology readiness through clinical validation and initiate hospital pilot programmes. Achieving this involves securing access to clinical partners, regulatory guidance, and imaging data.
The target market for Prognostic includes hospitals, oncology clinics, and medical imaging centres, where the AI tool can be integrated into existing treatment workflows. If successful, the technology could significantly enhance personalised cancer care by minimising ineffective treatments and lowering healthcare costs.
Mentorship and Business Guidance from Cyprus Seeds
The team credits much of their progress to the mentorship and business guidance provided by Cyprus Seeds. This support has been invaluable in transitioning their academic research into a commercial product. As they noted, “The most valuable aspect has been mentorship and business guidance, helping us turn strong academic research into a clear commercial product with a real market focus.”
Identifying clinical adoption as their biggest challenge, the team is actively working to navigate the regulatory landscape for AI-based medical software. They have expressed gratitude towards Cyprus Seeds for facilitating access to a robust network that aids in overcoming these hurdles.
Next Steps and Future Funding
The project is currently in the prototype and proof-of-concept stage, with aspirations to move into late proof of concept and early validation phases. The funding strategy for the next 18 to 24 months includes clinical pilot programmes and applications for national and European funding, such as RIF and Horizon Europe.
External support will be essential for the next phases, particularly in engaging clinical oncology centres for pilot studies and collaborating with medical imaging companies. The team is also seeking expertise in regulatory and medical device commercialisation to aid in their journey.
The Prognostic initiative exemplifies a broader trend in Cyprus’ research ecosystem, which is increasingly focused on translating advanced scientific discoveries into practical health technologies that can be applied in real-world clinical settings, particularly within the realm of AI-driven oncology.
