Acurion, formerly known as io9, announced a comprehensive strategic transformation including a rebrand, appointment of a new leadership team, and the upcoming launch of Series A fundraising. The company's AI-powered platform aims to revolutionize precision oncology by dramatically reducing the time required for genomic analysis of tumors.
The company's flagship technology, OncoGaze™, leverages artificial intelligence to identify genomic biomarkers directly from routine tumor biopsy slides. This breakthrough approach reduces the time from diagnosis to curative first-line treatment from weeks to mere seconds, making precision medicine more accessible to cancer patients worldwide.
"io9—now Acurion—has a critical mission: to make precision medicine a reality for more cancer patients," said Scott Lippman, MD, medical co-founder and Board member. "My colleagues and I witness the suffering that occurs in oncology every day because the journey from diagnosis to therapeutic selection is costly, time consuming, and confusing, causing life-threatening delays in front-line treatment."
Transformative Technology for Precision Oncology
Acurion's DeepHRD artificial intelligence platform, recently featured on CNN's Global Innovations series, represents a paradigm shift in how genomic information is extracted from tumor samples. The technology analyzes tissue architecture patterns to identify complex molecular signatures that often remain undetectable by conventional molecular assays.
According to Web Cavenee, Ph.D., scientific co-founder and Board member, "The promise of precision medicine has been hampered by the tissues and time needed for genomic analysis. Its cost also limits access and is an increasing concern for healthcare payers. OncoGaze addresses each of these issues."
The company reports that OncoGaze delivers insights not only instantaneously and affordably but with remarkable accuracy that exceeds FDA-approved genomic testing methods. Notably, Acurion's AI technology is the only one of its kind to have been published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Oncology, signaling strong validation from the scientific community.
New Leadership to Drive Commercial Growth
To accelerate its mission, Acurion has assembled an experienced leadership team with expertise spanning life sciences, technology, and finance:
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Rick Fultz has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, bringing 15 years of industry experience in guiding life sciences companies toward growth and value delivery.
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Feng Cao, Ph.D., will serve as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing commercial growth and regulatory strategy.
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Ludmil Alexandrov, Ph.D., a leading figure in cancer genomics, joins as Chief Scientific Officer to direct the company's scientific initiatives.
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Erik Bergstrom, Ph.D., who led the development of OncoGaze as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Alexandrov's lab, has been named Chief Technology Officer.
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Shelly Vandertie rounds out the executive team as Vice President of Finance.
Magda Marquet, Ph.D., co-founder and board chair, expressed enthusiasm about the new CEO: "Rick is a dynamic, high-energy leader who is deeply committed to advancing patient care. He brings a wealth of experience in commercial operations, business development, and international relations, which will be invaluable to our mission."
Addressing Critical Unmet Needs in Cancer Care
The current landscape of cancer diagnostics presents significant challenges. Conventional genomic testing methods typically require weeks to complete, creating potentially life-threatening delays in treatment initiation. Additionally, the high cost of these tests limits accessibility, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
Acurion's approach aims to democratize access to precision oncology by providing immediate genomic insights at the point of care. By analyzing standard H&E-stained biopsy slides—which are routinely collected during cancer diagnosis—OncoGaze eliminates the need for additional tissue sampling and specialized testing facilities.
"Much of the anguish of uncertainty can be alleviated by providing oncologists with clinically actionable tumor genomic information, to ensure that every patient has access to the right treatment as quickly as possible," Dr. Lippman emphasized.
Funding to Accelerate Commercial Development
With its leadership team now in place, Acurion will officially launch its Series A fundraising on April 15th. The capital will support continued technology development, clinical validation studies, and commercial expansion efforts.
The company is also focused on expanding partnerships with academic institutions, patient advocacy groups, and industry leaders to accelerate the translation of its technology into clinical practice.
"I am honored to lead Acurion during this important stage," said Rick Fultz, CEO. "Together with our team and advisors, we are positioned to drive meaningful advancements in precision oncology."
Future Outlook
As Acurion moves forward with its rebranding and fundraising initiatives, the company remains committed to its core mission of revolutionizing frontline cancer care. By equipping oncologists with critical genomic insights delivered in seconds rather than weeks, Acurion aims to ensure that cancer patients receive the most appropriate treatments without delay.
The company's technology has the potential to address significant inefficiencies in the current cancer care paradigm while improving patient outcomes through more precise therapeutic selection. With its combination of cutting-edge AI technology and experienced leadership, Acurion is well-positioned to make a meaningful impact in the field of precision oncology.
