Osborne Clarke advises PharosAI on joint venture to boost AI-assisted cancer care

International legal practice Osborne Clarke's Life Sciences & Healthcare team has advised a consortium of London based life sciences research institutions on the formation of a joint venture to establish PharosAI, which promises to transform cancer care by unlocking NHS cancer data and hosting it on one powerful, secure, AI-ready platform. The consortium comprises researchers and clinicians from King's College London, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Mary University of London, and Barts Health NHS Trust.

Backed by £18.9 million of government funding plus £24.7 million of co-investment, the PharosAI team will refine decades worth of NHS and biobank datasets across the UK through molecular profiling techniques such as DNA sequencing to create highly specialised datasets primed for building powerful AI models. 

These techniques will provide the jet fuel for researchers in innovative companies to develop the next generation of sophisticated AI models, and in turn to develop breakthrough diagnostics and therapies that will save lives. The ultimate aim is to create a data refinery that amalgamates information from multiple sources into a consistent form that organisations can make use of to test AI algorithms without any risk of breaching patient confidentiality. 

"Osborne Clarke's impressive team provided expert advice on complex issues every step of the way, from governance of highly sensitive patient data, to IP issues around machine learning embeddings. The team's skills and expertise were integral to the execution of the PharosAI joint venture, which will accelerate the pathway to AI-powered cancer care, and we look forward to working with Osborne Clarke as PharosAI launches and delivers impact for cancer patients in the UK and worldwide."

Dr Lucie C. Burgess, Chief Operating Officer of PharosAI

The Osborne Clarke team advising PharosAI comprised cross-service specialists from our Life Sciences & Healthcare team. Corporate advice was led by Partner Justin Starling, Projects advice was led by Associate Director Keir Pimblett, and Data and IP advice was led by Associate Director Jon Round.

Osborne Clarke's Life Sciences & Healthcare team has an impressive track record of advising innovative businesses in the Digital Health Sector on complex transactions. The team possesses extensive experience and expertise in the sector, acquired through advising founders, partners, and investors on business establishment, funding, technology licensing and commercialisation, full regulatory compliance—including AI and data—and successful exits.