Cancer Research Horizons non-exclusively licenses multi-modal S:CORT dataset to enable Histofy to develop AI-based digital pathology tools that stratify colorectal cancer patients based on risk and predict treatment response. These software solutions will help to select the best therapeutic option for each patient, aiming to improve outcomes by enabling the personalised treatment of colorectal cancer.
London and Coventry, UK (8th April 2025) – Cancer Research Horizons, the innovation arm of Cancer Research UK, has announced a collaboration with Histofy, a leader in AI-driven histopathology solutions, to develop tools that predict how colorectal cancer patients respond to different treatment options using the multi-modal S:CORT dataset.
As part of the collaboration, Histofy will use digital pathology images, as well as clinical and molecular data, from the S:CORT dataset to further develop and validate AI models that stratify patients into sub-groups based on their likelihood of progressive disease and response to therapy.
The dataset contains clinically linked multi-omics data, including genomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics and digital pathology images, from over 1,700 colorectal cancer patients across 11 different cohorts. It was developed by the S:CORT (Stratification in COloRecTal Cancer) consortium, a multidisciplinary MRC- and Cancer Research UK-funded project aiming to improve the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer, led by Professor Tim Maughan at the University of Oxford.
Colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer, is the fourth most common type in the UK, accounting for 11% of new cancer cases. In the UK, there are around 44,100 cases and 16,800 deaths from it per year (2017–2019 average).
Being able to predict which treatment a patient is most likely to respond to is crucial for selecting the most appropriate treatment and to ensure the best clinical outcomes. This can not only increase the likelihood of treatment being effective but also improve quality of life by limiting side effects experienced by patients. Currently, treatment decisions are made based on clinical features, as well as genomic and transcriptomic tests, which can be expensive. The use of AI tools to extract this information directly from images has the potential to reduce the overall burden to the NHS by providing information more quickly and accurately. o
"Harnessing the power of AI and multi-modal patient data has the potential to transform how we treat colorectal cancer"
Tony Hickson, Chief Business Officer of Cancer Research Horizons, said: “Harnessing the power of AI and multi-modal patient data has the potential to transform how we treat colorectal cancer. By partnering with Histofy, we are enabling cutting-edge research that could lead to more personalised treatment strategies, ultimately improving outcomes for patients. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to ensuring that patient-derived data is used responsibly and for maximum positive impact.”
Nasir Rajpoot, Chief Executive Officer of Histofy, said: “This partnership with Cancer Research Horizons marks a significant step towards harnessing AI to revolutionise colorectal cancer treatment. By leveraging the multi-modal S:CORT dataset, we are developing AI-driven tools that provide deeper insights into patient stratification and treatment response. Our goal is to accelerate precision diagnostics and make precision oncology more accessible, reducing the burden on healthcare systems while improving patient outcomes.”
This partnership aligns with Cancer Research Horizons’ Commercial Data Partnership Guiding Principles, ensuring safe and transparent use of patient-derived data with the primary aim of positive patient impact.
About Cancer Research Horizons
Cancer Research Horizons is the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK – the world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research. It brings together world-leading minds, bold ideas and the right partners to bridge the gap between academic research and taking drugs to market. It focuses on the tougher, more profound ideas that can lead to true innovation, translating them into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients.
To date, it has played an instrumental role in forming over 70 start-ups. It has helped bring 14 cancer drugs to market, borne out of Cancer Research UK’s pioneering research. Through these drugs, it has enabled in excess of 6 million courses of treatment for cancer patients across the world.
With access to Cancer Research UK’s network of 4,000 exceptional researchers, and £400m of annual research spend, it is a powerful partner in the fight to conquer cancer. By uniting its commercial partnerships and therapeutic innovation capabilities, Cancer Research Horizons is uniquely placed to support translational funding, entrepreneurial development, data licensing and collaboration, spin-out creation, and offer a full spectrum of drug discovery and clinical capabilities.
Every penny it makes goes back into funding the next bold steps, to help bring forward the day when all cancers are conquered.
For more information and to get in touch with the team, visit cancerresearchhorizons.com.
About Histofy
Histofy is dedicated to transforming cancer diagnostics and treatment with pioneering transparent and data-efficient AI solutions, which provide precise tissue assessment data for valuable insights with minimal data requirements. Histofy partners with leading research institutions, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate diagnostics, enable precision medicine, and improve patient outcomes worldwide.
For more information and to book a demo, visit histofy.ai.