Wahid Awad, Founder and CEO of Rosetta Omics, joined Muhammad Younis for an insightful discussion on the future of precision oncology. He highlighted the challenges of moving beyond standard treatments and the promise of AI, multiomics, and spatial data in delivering personalised cancer care. Wahid shared how Rosetta Omics is advancing predictive models that improve outcomes and reduce costs, while addressing the hurdles to clinical adoption. He also stressed the importance of industry events like the London Biotechnology Show in driving innovation and collaboration across the biotech landscape.

#LBS: Many cancer patients receive first-line therapies that may not be the most effective for  them. What do you see as the biggest challenge in making personalised treatment the  standard approach?

Wahid Awad: One of the biggest challenges is the lack of comprehensive, clinically validated predictive tools that  can guide treatment selection in real time. Many current approaches still rely on broad treatment  guidelines rather than precise molecular insights tailored to individual patients. While multiomics  data offers a deeper understanding of tumor biology, its integration into clinical decision-making  remains fragmented due to inconsistent data collection, lack of actionable biomarkers, and limited  AI-driven solutions for oncologists.

At Rosetta Omics, we are tackling this challenge by developing AI-powered predictive models that  integrate molecular, and spatial data to provide clinically actionable insights. Our technology  enables oncologists to identify the most effective therapy from the outset, reducing unnecessary  treatments and improving patient outcomes. However, broader adoption will require stronger  regulatory frameworks, reimbursement support, and increased physician engagement to make  personalized treatment the new standard in oncology.

#LBS: AI, multiomics, and spatial data are transforming cancer treatment by improving response  prediction. How do these technologies enhance precision medicine, and what are the biggest  obstacles to their widespread adoption?

Wahid Awad:AI, multiomics, and spatial data are revolutionizing oncology by allowing for a much deeper and more  precise understanding of each tumor’s unique biology. Multiomics integrates diverse biological data, genomic mutations, transcriptomic activity, protein expression, and even metabolic pathways providing a complete molecular fingerprint of the tumor. Spatial profiling adds another layer by  showing how different cell populations interact within the tumor microenvironment, revealing drug  resistance mechanisms and immune response variations that standard tests often miss.

At Rosetta Omics, we leverage AI-driven analytics to decode these complex data layers and  accurately predict patient responses to specific treatments. Our approach goes beyond  conventional biomarker analysis by using machine learning algorithms to identify patterns that might  be invisible to traditional methods.

However, several barriers hinder widespread adoption, including data standardization, regulatory  hurdles, and the need for extensive clinical validation to ensure these AI models are reliable across  diverse populations. Additionally, many oncologists require training and confidence in AI-assisted  decision-making, which is why Rosetta Omics is actively collaborating with leading cancer centers  to integrate our technology into real-world clinical workflows.

#LBS: Personalised medicine not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces the cost of  ineffective treatments. How do you see advancements in predictive models reshaping  healthcare efficiency and affordability?

Wahid Awad:Precision medicine is fundamentally shifting cancer care from a reactive to a proactive model, where  treatment is matched to each patient’s specific tumor profile from the outset. This eliminates trial-and-error prescribing, reduces severe side effects, and prevents unnecessary treatment costs,  making healthcare more efficient and cost-effective.

At Rosetta Omics, our AI-driven predictive tests empower oncologists to select the right therapy for  each patient before starting treatment, leading to:

• Fewer failed treatments and hospitalizations
• Shorter treatment cycles with more effective drugs
• Lower costs for both healthcare systems and patients

Moreover, by improving patient stratification for clinical trials, our technology helps pharmaceutical  companies optimize drug development, reducing costs and increasing success rates. As precision medicine adoption grows, we anticipate a shift towards value-based healthcare models, where payers  reward treatments based on their effectiveness, ultimately making cancer care more accessible and  affordable.

#LBS: Despite significant research, many promising technologies struggle to transition into  clinical practice. What steps are necessary to bridge the gap and ensure AI-driven precision  medicine becomes a core part of oncology care?

Wahid Awad:Bridging the gap between research and clinical practice requires a multi-pronged approach:

• Robust Clinical Validation – AI-driven solutions must undergo rigorous validation in real world patient populations. Rosetta Omics is working with leading cancer centers to ensure  our models are clinically tested and validated across diverse cohorts.
• Regulatory Approvals – Many AI and multiomics-based tests face lengthy regulatory  processes. We are actively engaging with regulatory bodies to align our platform with evolving  standards, ensuring a smoother path to clinical adoption.
• Integration with clinical workflows – AI tools must be seamlessly embedded into electronic  health record (EHR) systems and oncologists’ workflows. Our technology is designed to be user-friendly, providing clear, actionable insights rather than overwhelming clinicians with  complex data.
• Reimbursement and Cost Justification – Healthcare payers need evidence that precision  oncology leads to cost savings. We are building health-economic models to demonstrate  that our tests reduce overall treatment costs by improving response rates and reducing  treatment failures.
• Physician Training and Awareness : Many oncologists still lack familiarity with AI-driven  decision-support tools. Rosetta Omics is working closely with key opinion leaders (KOLs) to  drive education and adoption, ensuring that AI becomes an essential part of oncology care.

By addressing these challenges, we can accelerate the adoption of AI-driven precision medicine,  making personalized cancer treatment the new standard worldwide.

#LBS: Rosetta Omics aims to unlock the potential of precision medicine using multiomics,  spatial data, and AI. What sets your approach apart, and how is it already making an impact in  the fight against cancer?

Wahid Awad:What sets Rosetta Omics apart is our ability to go beyond single-biomarker approaches by integrating  multiomics and spatial data using AI-powered analytics.

• Our proprietary platform: Analyzes multiomics, and spatial data to build a detailed molecular profile of each tumor.Predicts treatment response with high accuracy, allowing oncologists to choose the most  effective therapy upfront. Identifies new drug targets and biomarkers, helping pharmaceutical companies  accelerate drug discovery and patient stratification.

We are already making an impact through:

• Partnerships with top-tier cancer hospitals and research institutions to validate our models  in real-world clinical settings.
• Collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies to optimize clinical trial recruitment  and improve drug efficacy predictions.
• Regulatory discussions and pilot programs aimed at integrating our AI-driven tests into  oncology workflows.

By combining cutting-edge AI with deep molecular insights, Rosetta Omics is pioneering the next era  of truly personalized cancer care, bringing better outcomes to patients and greater efficiency to  healthcare systems.

#LBS: Industry events like the London Biotechnology Show bring together key stakeholders to  shape the future of biotechnology. In your view, how do such gatherings influence innovation,  collaboration, and the overall direction of the industry?

Wahid Awad:Events like the London Biotechnology Show are crucial in accelerating innovation and fostering  cross-industry collaboration. They serve as a convergence point for biotech startups, pharma  leaders, investors, and regulatory bodies, enabling:

• Showcasing Breakthrough Technologies – Startups like Rosetta Omics can present cutting edge AI-driven solutions, gaining exposure to industry leaders and potential partners.
• Facilitating Strategic Partnerships – Many collaborations between biotech companies,  hospitals, and investors are formed at such events, helping accelerate technology adoption.
• Shaping Industry Trends and Regulations – By bringing together regulatory decision-makers,  key opinion leaders, and innovators, these events help streamline the path from research to  clinical practice.

For Rosetta Omics, these gatherings are an opportunity to:

• Engage with key stakeholders in oncology and precision medicine
• Present our AI-powered predictive models to investors and potential clinical partners
• Stay at the forefront of industry developments, ensuring our solutions remain aligned with  the evolving healthcare landscape

By fostering collaboration and driving innovation, such industry events play a vital role in accelerating  the adoption of next-generation cancer treatments.