Waiv Raises $33M to Expand AI-Powered Precision Cancer Testing | MedCity News

The landscape of cancer treatment is rapidly evolving, driven by a growing understanding of the unique biological characteristics of individual tumors. This shift towards precision oncology demands increasingly detailed diagnostic information – data that often surpasses the capabilities of traditional methods. Now, a Paris-based startup called Waiv is poised to accelerate this progress, spinning out from AI drug research company Owkin and securing $33 million in funding to scale its AI-powered precision testing platform. This investment marks a significant step towards making advanced diagnostic insights more accessible to clinicians and researchers worldwide.

Waiv’s emergence as an independent entity, announced on March 12, 2026, signals a growing confidence in the power of artificial intelligence to transform cancer care. The company’s technology analyzes complex data, primarily digital pathology images, to reveal subtle biological indicators that can inform treatment decisions and predict patient outcomes. This approach, known as AI-enabled precision testing, promises to streamline workflows, improve diagnostic accuracy, and enhance patient care. The funding round was co-led by OTB Ventures and Alpha Intelligence Capital (AIC), with participation from Serena Data Ventures, Karista, and SistaFund, demonstrating strong investor belief in Waiv’s potential.

From Owkin Dx to Independent Innovation

For several years, Waiv operated as Owkin Dx, a diagnostics unit within Owkin. Owkin itself has pioneered a “federated learning” approach to analyzing data from various healthcare institutions, including cancer centers and hospitals, to support pharmaceutical research. This approach allows for collaborative research without requiring the sharing of sensitive patient data. Waiv CEO and co-founder Meriem Sefta explained that the spinout was a natural progression, allowing the company to pursue its own equity story and accelerate the deployment of its validated AI diagnostics. “The spinout enables the company to move faster in bringing validated AI diagnostics to market, while continuing to innovate on the scientific and technological foundation already developed within the Owkin ecosystem,” Sefta stated.

The decision to become an independent company reflects Waiv’s maturity and the growing demand for its technology. The company’s existing suite of products, including RlapsRisk BC, MSIntuit Suite, and BRCAura, are already being used in clinical settings to support biomarker discovery, patient stratification, and treatment response assessment. These tools provide clinicians and researchers with actionable insights in a matter of minutes, a significant improvement over traditional diagnostic methods. Waiv’s customers include major pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca and Merck, highlighting the industry’s recognition of the value of AI-driven precision testing.

The Rise of AI in Precision Oncology

Waiv is not alone in recognizing the transformative potential of AI in cancer care. A growing number of companies are developing AI-powered technologies to inform treatment selection and improve clinical trial outcomes. Roche’s Foundation Medicine, Tempus AI, and Caris Life Sciences are among the leaders in this field, all offering solutions that analyze patient samples to identify the most appropriate therapies. Caris Life Sciences, for example, has been making strides in comprehensive genomic profiling and AI-driven molecular analysis. However, Waiv differentiates itself through its focus on digital pathology images and its integration into existing clinical workflows.

Digital pathology involves the digitization of microscopic images of tissue samples, allowing for computer-aided analysis. These images contain a wealth of information, but extracting meaningful insights requires sophisticated algorithms. Waiv’s AI models are trained to identify subtle patterns and features in these images that may be missed by the human eye, providing a more comprehensive and objective assessment of the tumor’s characteristics. This approach is particularly valuable in identifying biomarkers – measurable indicators of a biological state or condition – that can predict a patient’s response to a particular treatment. The company’s technology can be used both in research settings to discover new biomarkers and in clinical settings to guide treatment decisions.

Unlocking Insights from Multimodal Data

Waiv’s platform goes beyond simply analyzing images. It integrates multimodal oncology data, combining information from digital pathology with other sources, such as clinical data and genomic information. This holistic approach provides a more complete picture of the patient’s disease and allows for more accurate predictions. The company leverages its access to a vast international data network, including the PortrAIt consortium – one of Europe’s largest multi-institutional precision medicine datasets – to train and validate its AI models. This access to diverse and high-quality data is crucial for ensuring the robustness and generalizability of its technology.

The ability to analyze these complex datasets efficiently is a key advantage for Waiv. Traditional diagnostic methods are often slow and labor-intensive, requiring pathologists to manually review hundreds of images. Waiv’s AI-powered tools automate much of this process, delivering results in minutes and freeing up pathologists to focus on more complex cases. This not only improves efficiency but also reduces the risk of human error. The company’s business model – charging customers on a per-test basis – makes its technology accessible to a wide range of healthcare providers.

Future Expansion and Impact

With the newly secured $33 million in funding, Waiv plans to expand its clinical testing offerings and support commercial expansion globally. The company will focus on developing new AI-powered tests for a wider range of cancers and integrating its technology into more clinical workflows. This expansion will require strategic partnerships with hospitals, laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies. Waiv’s existing collaborations with leading institutions and industry players provide a strong foundation for future growth.

The potential impact of Waiv’s technology is significant. By providing clinicians with more accurate and timely diagnostic information, the company can support to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate treatment for their individual disease. This can lead to improved outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and a better quality of life for cancer patients. Waiv’s technology can accelerate drug development by identifying patients who are most likely to respond to a particular therapy, streamlining clinical trials and reducing the time it takes to bring new treatments to market.

Key Takeaways

• AI-Driven Diagnostics: Waiv is leveraging artificial intelligence to provide more detailed and accurate diagnostic information for cancer patients.
• $33 Million Funding: The company recently secured $33 million in funding to scale its AI precision testing platform and expand its global reach.
• Spin-Out from Owkin: Waiv spun out from AI drug research company Owkin, allowing it to focus on its core mission of advancing precision oncology.
• Multimodal Data Analysis: Waiv’s platform integrates data from various sources, including digital pathology images, clinical data, and genomic information.
• Improved Patient Outcomes: By providing clinicians with actionable insights, Waiv aims to improve treatment decisions and enhance patient outcomes.

The next key milestone for Waiv will be the continued rollout of its expanded clinical testing offerings and the establishment of new partnerships with healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies. The company is actively working to validate its technology in diverse patient populations and to demonstrate its clinical utility in real-world settings. As AI continues to transform the healthcare landscape, Waiv is well-positioned to play a leading role in the advancement of precision oncology.

What are your thoughts on the role of AI in revolutionizing cancer diagnostics? Share your perspectives and experiences in the comments below. Don’t forget to share this article with your network to spread awareness about the exciting advancements in precision medicine.