In a thrilling announcement at ViVE 2024, UPMC Enterprises’ portfolio company Realyze Intelligence was named to the inaugural class of the CancerX Startup Accelerator, which is part of the Biden administration’s Cancer Moonshot initiative. The goal of the Cancer Moonshot is “to prevent more than 4 million cancer deaths by 2047 and to improve the experience of people who are touched by cancer.” The program intends to bring “renewed leadership to the fight against cancer, facilitate new collaborations, and drive progress across the cancer journey utilizing all facets of the oncology community.”
UPMC’s Hillman Cancer Center has also been a part of the Cancer Moonshot initiative since its inception in 2016 and continues to play an active role in the program.
“Everyone’s lives have been impacted by cancer,” says Brent Burns, Executive Vice President at UPMC Enterprises. ”We are proud to have developed, launched, and partnered with Realyze Intelligence, which will play a critical role in improving cancer research, clinical trials, and treatment going forward.”
Realyze Intelligence provides artificial intelligence (AI) technology to leading cancer centers, such as Hillman Cancer Center and Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center, to efficiently match cancer patients to clinical trials.
The Pittsburgh-based company applied for the CancerX Startup Accelerator program after it was announced last year. After rigorous evaluation of more than 100 companies over the course of many months, 16 startups were selected to be a part of the inaugural class; the names of those companies were shared at ViVE.
“Being selected to join the CancerX Startup Accelerator is an honor. More than that we are eager for the opportunity to partner with more cancer centers across the country to enhance clinical trial matching,” said Aaron Brauser, founder, president and CEO of Realyze Intelligence. “As it is, too much time is spent screening and too few cancer patients are currently being enrolled in potentially lifesaving clinical trials. Realyze Intelligence has proven that we can scale the screening process, accelerate drug development, and rapidly improve how cancer is being treated.”
As part of the accelerator, Realyze Intelligence will have access to mentorship, connections, and opportunities to collaborate with leading cancer organizations such as Moffitt Cancer Center, which recently hosted an in-person meeting for the leaders of the companies involved with the accelerator as well as program sponsors.
Being a part of the CancerX Startup Accelerator will allow Realyze Intelligence to be an important part of the future of cancer treatment. Realyze’s technology will continue to improve access to care, clinical outcomes, and the lives of people across the country.
Read more about this announcement here.
