In the relentless fight against cancer, a staggering 96% of oncology drug candidates never make it to patients. This stark reality stems from fragmented decisions driven by unreliable data, leaving millions of lives hanging in the balance. Enter Orakl Oncology, a groundbreaking French startup that is reshaping the landscape of cancer treatment with cutting-edge AI and precision medicine. Armed with seed funding, Orakl is on a mission to tackle these challenges and deliver transformative therapies to patients faster than ever before. It addressing the Crisis in Oncology Drug Development
The Visionaries Behind the Innovation
Orakl Oncology was founded in 2023 by a trio of pioneers: Dr. Fanny Jaulin, Dr. Diane-Laure Pagès, and Dr. Gustave Ronteix. As a spin-off from Gustave Roussy Institute, Europe’s leading cancer research hub and a global frontrunner in precision medicine, the startup boasts unmatched expertise in oncology, biology, and artificial intelligence.
The inception of Orakl was fueled by an urgent need to address inefficiencies in oncology drug development. With its roots firmly planted in Gustave Roussy’s innovative ecosystem, the company is equipped with both the scientific foundation and technological prowess to make a significant impact in precision oncology.
Tackling Challenges in Drug Development with AI
The oncology drug development process faces myriad challenges, including:
- High Attrition Rates: A majority of drugs fail during clinical trials due to poor predictability.
- Fragmented Data: Decisions often rely on disjointed and heterogeneous datasets that fail to represent real-world complexities.
To address these issues, Orakl has developed a revolutionary techbio platform powered by AI. This platform integrates real-world patient data and cutting-edge biology, creating a cohesive decision-making engine that supports every stage of drug development.
The Techbio Platform: A Game-Changer in Precision Oncology
Orakl’s innovative platform harnesses the power of machine learning, advanced cell biology, and AI to create personalized patient avatars. These avatars simulate real-life drug responses by combining longitudinal real-world data with sustainable tissues derived from individual patients.
Key Features of the Platform
- Predictive Accuracy: The platform provides insights into progression-free survival and drug efficacy.
- Therapeutic Discovery: It enables the identification of new therapeutic targets and optimal drug combinations.
- Improved Trial Outcomes: Pharmaceutical companies can leverage the platform to forecast clinical trial success and validate biomarkers with unprecedented precision.
Flagship Products: O-Predict and O-Validate
Orakl’s platform is anchored by two flagship products, each addressing critical aspects of drug development:
- O-Predict: This product forecasts patient responses to new drug candidates, offering actionable insights into progression-free survival and comparative efficacy.
- O-Validate: Focused on biomarker validation, O-Validate provides biological evidence of causality, empowering data-driven decision-making throughout the development pipeline.
These products are initially targeted at colorectal and pancreatic cancers, two aggressive cancers with significant unmet medical needs.
Strategic Leadership and Expansion Plans
To steer its ambitious vision, Orakl has appointed Jessica Atkinson as Business Advisor. With a stellar track record at Merck and Foundation Medicine, Atkinson is set to spearhead the company’s entry into the clinical oncology market.
Additionally, Orakl is building a dedicated business team to foster strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and expand its commercial offerings. This move underscores the company’s commitment to transforming oncology drug development in the era of precision medicine.
The Road Ahead: Transforming Cancer Care
Orakl’s journey is fueled by a clear mission: to improve the success rates of clinical trials and accelerate the discovery of life-saving cancer therapies. With its innovative AI-powered platform and strong financial backing, the company is well-positioned to redefine drug development and offer hope to millions of patients worldwide.
Prof. Fabrice Barlesi, General Director of Gustave Roussy, highlights the significance of this endeavor:
“As Europe’s leading cancer center and a pioneer in precision medicine, we are proud to innovate through our spin-off, Orakl, which develops ex vivo patient avatars for therapeutic decision-making and accelerates the discovery of next-generation cancer therapies.”
Jeremy Uzan, General Partner at Singular, echoes this sentiment:
“A key strength of Orakl lies in its team—a mix of deep expertise in cancer research, cell biology, and computational biology. Backed by a solid scientific foundation and a clear business focus, Orakl is set to drive meaningful progress in oncology.”
Pioneering the Future of Precision Oncology
Orakl Oncology is more than just a startup; it is a beacon of hope for millions of cancer patients worldwide. By leveraging AI, advanced biology, and real-world data, the company is poised to revolutionize the drug development process and significantly improve clinical trial success rates. With strong financial backing and a visionary team, Orakl is on track to become a leader in precision oncology, offering new possibilities in the fight against cancer.
Funding Details
Orakl Oncology’s innovative approach has attracted substantial investor confidence. The startup recently raised €11 million in a seed funding round led by Singular, with additional support from Bpifrance and the Grand Prix i-Lab. This funding builds on the €3 million pre-seed investment secured last year, bringing the total capital raised to €15 million.
The funds will be utilized to:
- Accelerate the company’s growth.
- Launch and scale O-Predict and O-Validate.
- Establish strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies.
