Ibex and AZ collaborate on AI-powered breast cancer tech

Ibex Medical Analytics has announced a multi-million-dollar collaboration to develop and clinically validate the first AI-powered HER2 scoring product.

HER2 positive breast cancer is a particularly aggressive form of cancer, accounting for one in every five breast cancer diagnoses.

The technology will aid pathologists with an accurate and reproducible assessment of HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) scoring in breast cancer patients.

Joseph Mossel, co-founder and CEO of Ibex Medical Analytics, said:

“Recognising the vital role pathologists play in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients, we are thrilled to partner with AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo to clinically validate our automated HER2 scoring product and offer it to laboratories around the world.”

The scoring of HER2 protein expression in breast cancer is used to identify patients who are likely to benefit from HER2-directed therapies.

Currently, pathologists routinely score HER2 in tumour samples visually using a microscope, which can be challenging in cases of low HER2 expression.

This is because scoring is subjective and may lead to varied interpretations.

Computational tools developed using AI have the potential to support pathologists in accurate and objective scoring of HER2.

This can help oncologists in selecting therapies that are approved for treating patients with HER2-positive or HER2-low breast cancer.

As part of the collaboration, Ibex will work with AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo to develop and clinically validate its HER2 IHC scoring product and generate evidence that further supports adoption of the technology.

“As the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, this collaboration will allow pathologists to utilise our technology to optimise breast cancer diagnosis and ultimately improve the identification of patients eligible for HER2-directed therapy.”