CLASSICA kicks off in May 2022
We are using AI to provide real-time decision support during colorectal cancer surgery.
CLASSICA was awarded €6 million under Horizon Europe (European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)) to deliver and clinically validate an AI-based decision support system. Our technology will help to rapidly identify the presence and distribution of cancer tumours. The project is Coordinated by Ronan Cahill, Professor of Surgery at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and University College Dublin.
Clinical trials over the next four years will include 500 patients, with the technology initially being used for colorectal surgery. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer type globally, and the second most common cause of cancer death, leading to almost one million deaths annually.
Eleven partners from nine countries are joining forces to work on this exciting project.
Clinical validation will take place across five leading European cancer centres, including (i) the UCD Centre for Precision Surgery, the Mater Dublin Ireland; (ii) Amsterdam UMC, locatie Stichting VUmc, Netherlands; (iii) Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (ZOL) Hospital, Belgium; (iv) Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy; and (v) Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Graz, Austria.
The team includes IRCAD in Strasbourg, Europe’s leading surgical education organisation and EAES – European Association for Endoscopic Surgery. Legal and ethical expertise is provided by CeBIL of Københavns Universitet – University of Copenhagen and Penn State Dickinson Law of Penn State University, who address aspects of regulation, data protection and liability in the project. Arctur in Slovenia contributes advanced AI and high-performance computing. Dublin-based Pintail Limited will provide project management support throughout.
CLASSICA builds on breakthrough research by the Irish DTIF Consortium comprising University College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and IBM Research over the last three years at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital regarding the use of special dyes and AI to improve outcomes in cancer surgery.
CLASSICA kicked off this month and will run for four years. Join our group on LinkedIn or connect with us on Twitter @ClassicaProject to follow our journey.