BostonGene, a leader in AI-powered solutions for drug discovery and development, and Kyoto University have announced a research collaboration to develop advanced biological signatures to enhance targeted treatment strategies for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The partnership aims to leverage artificial intelligence to identify biomarkers that could transform precision medicine approaches for this challenging cancer type.
AI-Powered Molecular Analysis Platform
The collaboration will utilize BostonGene's AI-powered, multi-scale, omnimodal platform to analyze tumor molecular profiles and assess their correlation with response to a novel immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) combination therapy. This comprehensive approach integrates genomic and transcriptomic profiling from ESCC patients to identify immune-related biomarkers that can drive drug development, optimize clinical trial design, and enable more accurate patient stratification.
Building on the NOBEL Trial Foundation
The research builds on the NOBEL trial, an investigator-initiated Phase II clinical study led by Dr. Manabu Muto of Kyoto University, who serves as Director of Clinical Oncology at University Hospital. The NOBEL trial is evaluating the efficacy and safety of a combination treatment of chemoradiotherapy and an immune checkpoint inhibitor for advanced esophageal cancer. The trial is being conducted as an investigator-initiated study with financial support from Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
"Understanding the molecular and immune characteristics of ESCC is essential for developing more effective treatment strategies," commented Dr. Manabu Muto. "Through this collaboration, we will apply cutting-edge AI-powered analytics to clinical data, enabling us to identify biomarkers that can directly inform treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes."
Collaborative Research Framework
Under the partnership agreement, Kyoto University will provide clinical samples and patient data, while BostonGene will apply its AI-powered molecular analytics to uncover key biological pathways and associated biomarkers influencing treatment response. This division of expertise allows both institutions to leverage their respective strengths in clinical research and artificial intelligence applications.
Yukimasa Shiotsu, PhD, President of BostonGene Japan, emphasized the potential impact of the collaboration: "This collaboration will generate actionable insights into the tumor microenvironment and immune landscape of esophageal cancer. Combining Kyoto University's clinical expertise and BostonGene's AI-powered analytics, we will refine and advance precision treatment strategies for ESCC patients."
Technology and Platform Capabilities
BostonGene's platform is designed to help drug developers de-risk and accelerate research and development using a clinically validated AI platform purpose-built for oncology. The system is supported by a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited clinical laboratory, integrating advanced molecular and immune profiling with clinical data to uncover actionable insights that inform trial design, optimize patient selection, and improve clinical outcomes.
The company's diagnostic and treatment recommendation solutions are already being used in clinical settings to personalize care and guide therapy decisions for patients. BostonGene Japan Inc., a Tokyo-based joint venture formed by BostonGene, NEC Corporation, and Japan Industrial Partners, aims to advance personalized medicine and dramatically improve patient outcomes by leveraging the AI-powered multiomics platform to accelerate drug development and personalize cancer therapies.
