Revolutionising Oncology: Taipei Medical University and Oncoshot Forge a Path to Personalised Cancer Care

Taipei Medical University (TMU) stands as a distinguished institution for medical education and research in Taiwan. In a strategic move towards innovation, TMU has joined forces with Oncoshot, a pioneer in federated AI data systems that facilitate global access to cutting-edge cancer clinical trials and therapies. Oncoshot's platform is engineered to connect cancer patients, hospitals, and the industry with real-time insights. This forward-thinking system aims to amplify inbound trial opportunities and establish a global presence through a platform for exchanging real-time insights, thereby assisting hospitals and research institutions in maintaining their leadership in clinical research through collaborative industry ventures.  

This collaboration was made possible through the BE Accelerator Program which focuses exclusively on healthtech and medtech. The program is run by BE Health, a startup accelerator and venture builder based in Taipei, Taiwan, that positions itself as the gateway to Asia for both local and international startups. 

Established in 1960, TMU is home to 11 colleges, one general education centre, and over 6,000 students, with an alumni network of more than 49,000 individuals worldwide. TMU takes pride in its six affiliated hospitals, including TMU Hospital (TMUH), Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Cancer Centre, Taipei Neuroscience Institute, and Hsin Kuo Min Hospital. Together, these hospitals offer a total of 3,000 beds and employ over 9,000 faculty and staff members. 

Notably, TMUH is at the forefront of developing advanced cancer treatments in the era of personalised medicine, exemplified by the Tsai Wan-Tsai Cancer Building and Proton Therapy Centre inaugurated in 2022. The TMUH Proton Therapy Centre is ranked among the top 100 proton centres globally, marking a significant stride in the field of TMUH cancer medicine. 

Shuang Ho Hospital's Cancer Centre is among the hospital’s 13 speciality centres. It integrates 13 functional groups and 11 medical teams, including nutritionists, pharmacists, social workers, religious practitioners, and community resources, to provide comprehensive care. The Radiation Therapy Centre offers cutting-edge therapies such as image-guided volumetric modulated arc therapy, tomotherapy, gamma knife, and brachytherapy. Additionally, with the only medical heliport permitted in New Taipei City, Shuang Ho provides emergency medical air transportation for patients residing in remote areas, islands, or other countries, including Mainland China. 

Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital has developed a cancer case manager system to synergise with the National Health Service’s cancer patient navigation and tracking, providing patient-centred holistic care. The hospital has also established an in-house cancer patient database and publishes an annual cancer report for research and reference. Standard operating procedures and manuals for data collection, processing, and protection have been instituted and are rigorously followed. 

In a report by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), it was revealed that cancer retained its position as the leading cause of death in Taiwan for the 41st consecutive year in 2022, claiming 51,927 lives, accounting for approximately a quarter of the 208,438 individuals who passed away in Taiwan last year. The number of cancer-related deaths increased by 271 compared to 2021. Lung and liver cancer continued to hold the highest mortality rates for the 43rd consecutive year, as stated by the MOHW. 

As a part of the collaborative endeavour with Oncoshot, Prof Shabbir Syed Abdul, a distinguished professor of AI and digital health at the Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics (GIBI) of TMU, has joined the Oncoshot team as a consultant. Prof Shabbir commented, ‘At Taipei Medical University, we have always been at the forefront of medical research and patient care. Partnering with Oncoshot amplifies our commitment to real-world studies and equitable access in global clinical trials. Together, we envision a future where innovative oncology care is accessible to all our patients.’ 

This collaborative effort between TMU and Oncoshot is poised to leverage TMU's extensive academic and clinical expertise alongside Oncoshot's cutting-edge technological solutions. Together, they aspire to drive significant advancements in oncology research and deliver personalised patient care.