AstraZeneca Korea said Friday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AI-based software startup Oncosoft to enhance the diagnosis and assessment of the rare disease neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

The agreement seeks to expand treatment options for NF1 patients with plexiform neurofibroma.

NF1 is a rare genetic disorder that presents with pale spots, freckles, and plexiform neurofibroma across the body. Plexiform neurofibroma affects one in three individuals with NF1 and can develop along any nerve, including in the face, limbs, or deep within the body. Depending on tumor location, it can lead to disfigurement, pain, learning disabilities, vision loss, orthopedic problems, or breathing difficulties, significantly impacting quality of life.

In Korea, health insurance coverage for treatment of NF1 with plexiform neurofibroma requires a volumetric MRI (V.MRI) scan every six months to assess volume changes in a target lesion. Accurate volume measurement is essential, as continued drug administration depends on changes in the target lesion's size. However, V.MRI poses challenges in clinical practice due to the additional time it requires compared to standard readings.

"AstraZeneca is continuously striving to address the unmet needs of patients with rare diseases in real-world settings and to build a patient-centered care ecosystem," said Chon Se-whan, country president of AstraZeneca Korea. "This collaboration with Oncosoft marks a key step in improving access to care and enhancing the treatment experience for NF1 patients with plexiform neurofibroma by enabling faster initiation and continuation of therapy."

"We deeply sympathize with the challenges that NF1 patients with plexiform neurofibroma face during treatment, and we will continue to use our solutions to meet unmet needs at the point of care and improve patient quality of life," said Kim Jin-sung, CEO of Oncosoft.

Founded in 2019, Oncosoft is an AI-based cancer treatment software developer actively engaged in collaborative research with various institutions. It provides personalized medical information and treatment plans to physicians via its platform, OncoStudio. The company was selected as a globally promising startup in November 2024 through the AstraZeneca K-Bio Expressway pitching program, hosted by AstraZeneca Korea.