Transforming Pediatric Cancer Research with AI: A Collaboration Between Iris.ai and The Bardo Foundation
The Bardo Foundation, Iris.ai, and the European Innovation Council (EIC) have joined forces to revolutionize pediatric cancer research. This collaboration aims to integrate advanced AI technology into the research processes at Oslo University Hospital, with an initial focus on osteosarcoma. The partnership seeks to accelerate discoveries and enhance clinical outcomes for children battling rare cancers by making scientific literature and clinical data more accessible and navigable.
Transforming Cancer Research with AI
Childhood cancers, particularly rare types like osteosarcoma, pose significant challenges for researchers and clinicians due to the scarcity of data and the complexity of the disease. According to the World Health Organization, over 1000 children are diagnosed with cancer every day, underscoring the urgent need for accelerated research and innovative treatments.
Through this collaboration, researchers from The Bardo Foundation will have access to Iris.ai’s suite of AI research tools. These tools are designed to efficiently navigate and analyze vast amounts of academic literature and clinical data. By employing capabilities such as data exploration, filtering, analysis, and summarization, scientists can rapidly pinpoint critical insights and potential breakthroughs in pediatric cancer research.
A key component of this initiative is enhancing the accessibility of data from clinicaltrials.gov, making it more accessible to patients, caregivers, doctors, and researchers. This increased accessibility is expected to drive significant progress in understanding and treating rare pediatric cancers.
Global Impact and Future Expansion
While the initial focus is on osteosarcoma, the project holds the potential for global expansion. Should the pilot phase prove successful, the team aims to scale the initiative to benefit research teams worldwide. The ultimate goal is to provide tools that can significantly improve the treatment of various rare childhood cancers.
Bjarne Eggesbo, Executive Director of The Bardo Foundation, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership: “In the vast ocean of cancer research, the specific insights on rare childhood cancers are like needles in a haystack. Our collaboration with Iris.ai and the EIC is about turning that data into actionable knowledge that can drive real progress in pediatric oncology. This initiative underscores the urgent need for accelerated research and innovative treatment approaches to improve survival rates and quality of life for those affected.”
Anita Schjøll Abildgaard, CEO and Co-founder of Iris.ai, highlighted the innovative aspect of integrating AI into medical research: “By integrating our software into the research workflow at Oslo University Hospital, we are setting a new standard for how AI can aid medical research, enhancing the ability to process and analyze complex datasets effectively. This partnership exemplifies how nonprofits, research institutions, and technology innovators can join forces to overcome barriers and accelerate scientific discovery. By providing researchers with state-of-the-art AI tools, we hope to bridge the gap between cutting-edge medical practice and clinical research, ultimately helping deliver transformative new treatments for pediatric cancer patients – faster.”
The collaboration between The Bardo Foundation, Iris.ai, and the European Innovation Council represents a significant step forward in the fight against rare pediatric cancers. By harnessing the power of AI, this partnership aims to accelerate discoveries, improve clinical outcomes, and set a new precedent for the role of technology in medical research. As this initiative progresses, it holds the promise of bringing hope and healing to countless children and families affected by these devastating diseases.
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About Iris.ai
Iris.ai is a pioneering AI engine designed for scientific text understanding and analysis. Co-founded by Anita Schjøll Abildgaard, Jacobo Elosua, and Victor Botev, Iris.ai aims to revolutionize the way researchers interact with scientific literature. The platform offers a unique set of AI-driven tools that help sift through vast amounts of information quickly, focusing on what is essential and relevant. Its Researcher Workspace solution includes functionalities for data exploration, automatic organization, filtering, analysis, and summarization, empowering researchers to extract actionable insights efficiently.
About The Bardo Foundation
The Bardo Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the formidable challenge of rare childhood cancers, with a specific focus on osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer affecting children and young adults. The foundation’s mission encompasses four strategic areas: spearheading innovative research, facilitating collaborations among healthcare experts, supporting children to enhance their quality of life, and broadening access to childhood cancer care in underserved communities worldwide. By fostering partnerships and driving research initiatives, The Bardo Foundation aims to improve survival rates and quality of life for children affected by these devastating diseases.
About the European Innovation Council (EIC)
The EIC supports innovative projects across Europe, fostering technological breakthroughs and innovation. The council aids in the translation of cutting-edge ideas into viable products and services, enhancing Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage.