New Global Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium Joins Forces with Microsoft's AI For Good Lab To Launch First-Of-Its-Kind $1M+ Global Grant To Improve Survival Rates Français
Four leading ovarian cancer research charities from four countries are funding a new AI Accelerator Grant in partnership with Microsoft's AI for Good Lab to supercharge the next cancer research breakthrough
TORONTO, May 8, 2025 /CNW/ - Today marks World Ovarian Cancer Day and the launch of the Global Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium — a first-of-its-kind alliance uniting four leading ovarian cancer research organizations across the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Together, the Consortium is announcing its inaugural initiative: a game-changing $1 million grant, with an additional $1 million in compute support from Microsoft's AI for Good Lab, to address the global challenge in ovarian cancer survival rates. Globally, 324,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 207,000 women die from the disease each year. The Consortium's groundbreaking AI Accelerator Grant is a bold new effort that will ignite a wave of innovation in AI-powered ovarian cancer research — bringing hope, and potentially life-saving breakthroughs, to women around the world.
The Consortium, formed in 2024, brings together leading ovarian cancer organizations from the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Their mission: to combine forces, resources, and determination to accelerate progress where it's desperately needed. Now, with the support of Microsoft's technology and expertise, the Consortium is poised to rewrite the future of ovarian cancer care.
Progress in ovarian cancer research is lagging dangerously behind other diseases. It's predicted that by 2050 the number of women around the world diagnosed with ovarian cancer will rise over 55% to 503,448 and the number of women dying from ovarian cancer is projected to increase to 350,956 each year.
" The complexity of ovarian cancer, with its vague symptoms and many types, makes it difficult to diagnose early and treat at advanced stages. Yet these are accomplishments we know we need to save lives. This is why the $1 million collaborative investment in AI-powered ovarian cancer research is critically needed," shares Tania Vrionis, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada. " Through this AI Accelerator Grant, we can harness AI to understand ovarian cancer and its impact on women faster than ever. Our global philanthropic partnership, support from Microsoft's AI for Good Lab, and international research collaboration are key to accelerating change. After decades without real progress, women facing ovarian cancer deserve breakthroughs as quickly as we can make them."
AI is already revolutionizing cancer diagnoses—from breast to brain, skin to thyroid—with stunning advances. But ovarian cancer has yet to feel the full power of this transformation. That changes now.
With this urgent call to action, the Consortium is summoning the world's brightest minds to harness AI and tip the scales toward survival.
" When I heard my treatment options, I was not happy. To treat my cancer, they had to remove my uterus, my ovaries, and I knew I could no longer have a child on my own. But I also knew that I wanted to live so I had no choice," shares Julia, a 38-year-old Canadian woman diagnosed with advanced low-grade serous ovarian cancer, a rare form of the disease. Despite undergoing life-altering treatment options when diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer, women still face a high chance of their cancer returning, just as Julia's did in 2023. To improve their treatment options and disease outcomes, innovative research is urgently required. " We need to make ovarian cancer a top priority. It doesn't have the same visibility and awareness that other cancers have but women like me have limited options when facing the disease," adds Julia."The truth is that change will only happen if research funding increases in a significant way. Ovarian Cancer Canada has helped me a lot through my journey. They support me, share information, and most importantly, with research investments like this, they gave me what I was missing most - hope."
Researchers will be asked to form teams that will include a representative from each of the four countries to compete for the new grant. The successful grant will support any area of research that will improve survival rates. It must have a multi-jurisdictional team from across the grant-funded countries and a multidisciplinary team, including an AI expert. To learn more about the grant, visit https://ocrahope.org/research/information-for-researchers/grant-programs/
Microsoft is generously partnering on this grant to donate up to $1m of in-kind Azure compute credits to the successful project through Microsoft's AI for Good Lab-partnership with OCRA. Microsoft's cloud computing power will enable the successful applicants to accelerate progress against ovarian cancer.
" New discoveries are needed to find lifesaving treatments for ovarian cancer, a cancer that tragically still has a low survival rate. Equipping leading researchers around the globe with powerful AI tools and computing resources will help accelerate their critical work, hopefully leading to breakthroughs that save women's lives. Microsoft's AI for Good Lab is proud to support ovarian cancer research through this grant." said Juan Lavista Ferres, Microsoft Chief Data Scientist and Director of Microsoft's AI for Good Lab.
ABOUT OVARIAN CANCER CANADA
We are the only national health charity in Canada focused on uncovering key discoveries that can change the reality of an ovarian cancer diagnosis. We are building research capacity, unlocking insights into rarer forms of the disease, addressing urgent needs, and bringing hope to people across the country. After decades without real change, improved outcomes are finally possible.
The 3,000 Canadians diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year deserve our attention . They deserve our focus on demanding action, delivering change, and transforming their lives. We will not rest until women are able to live freely, fully, and uninhibited by ovarian cancer. Towards this goal, we are relentless. Learn more at ovariancanada.org.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
27 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
TSMC Stock Outlook Strong as AI Chip Demand Soars Despite Tariff and Taiwan Risks
At TSMC's (TSM) annual shareholder meeting in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Chief Executive C.C. Wei stood at the crossroads of tech ambition and global uncertainty. With towering new fabs rising in Arizona, AI chip orders outpacing the speed of production, and tariff clouds brewing over trade routes, TSMC finds itself both in the driver's seat of chip creation and on the path of potential geopolitical storms. Yet despite the noise, Wei's message was clear: AI is the wind in TSMC's sails, and it's blowing hard. Confident Investing Starts Here: Tariffs Are a Pain, but AI Demands Remain Robust Wei acknowledged that U.S. tariffs, part of President Trump's broader trade policy, have created some turbulence. Although TSMC, as an exporter, isn't directly taxed, higher import costs for U.S. buyers could cool demand. Still, he said the company hasn't seen customers backing off due to tariff fears. In fact, AI-related orders remain so strong that supply can't keep up. 'Tariffs do have some impact,' Wei said, 'but I can assure you that AI demand has always been very strong and it's consistently outpacing supply.' That insatiable demand is helping TSMC power through other headwinds, too. The world's top chipmaker is in the middle of a massive $165 billion investment to build cutting-edge fabs in the U.S., with government subsidies helping soften the cost gap between American and Taiwanese production. While chips made in Arizona may still end up priced higher, automation is keeping labor costs low, and Washington is listening—TSMC is in active talks with the U.S. Commerce Department to resolve concerns over tariffs on equipment. Geopolitical Tension Is out of TSM's Hands Wei also addressed the rising political tension in the Taiwan Strait, calling it a matter for governments to handle. 'If something happens that we don't want to happen,' he said carefully, 'it's not for TSMC alone to deal with.' One notable drag on earnings: a strengthening Taiwan dollar, which has cut into gross margins by more than 3 percentage points. Still, the company projects a record year in 2025, driven by booming demand for AI infrastructure from top clients such as Apple (AAPL) and Nvidia (NVDA). While tariff and geopolitical risks are worth watching, TSMC's position at the heart of the AI chip supply chain may offer strong support for long-term growth, even in uncertain times. Is TSM Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold? Due to TSMC's importance to the semiconductor industry, as always, TSMC sports a rating of a Strong Buy, based on eight recent analysts' ratings. The average TSM stock price target is $219.43, implying a 12.62% upside. See more TSM analyst ratings Disclaimer & Disclosure Report an Issue
Globe and Mail
27 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Why Wall Street is Watching Broadcom $250 Ahead of Earnings
With mega-cap tech giant Broadcom (AVGO) set to report earnings after the close on June 5, momentum is building — and the smart money is already positioning itself. Let's break down why AVGO this could be one of the most important earnings plays of the season. Wall Street's Bold $301 Price Target Analyst Mike Harrison from Redburn Atlantic just initiated AVGO with a 'Buy' rating and a Street-high target of $301, citing Broadcom's dominance in the ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) space. These chips power the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution — and AVGO is quietly becoming one of its most vital players. Congress Bought the Dip Two U.S. politicians, Reps. Kelly Morrison and Michael McCaul, disclosed AVGO purchases in April. Congressional buys don't always mean bullish moves — but when they line up with institutional flow and analyst upgrades, it's worth watching. Gamma Exposure Above $250 Barchart's Gamma Exposure Tool shows a high concentration of positive gamma above $250. This means market makers are hedging against big moves — often leading to price stability near these levels. But that stability doesn't last forever. As earnings approach, any break of key gamma levels could lead to powerful directional moves. Expected Move for Earnings Use Barchart's Expected Move Tool to map the projected high and low ranges for AVGO after earnings. This tool uses options pricing to calculate where the stock could land post-report. This is essential for planning straddle/strangle strategies, risk-reward ratios, or knowing when to scale in/out of positions. Trade Setups Are Already Triggering Barchart's trading strategies have flagged multiple bullish signals on AVGO throughout April and May, including moving average crossovers and trend confirmation setups. That's a strong confirmation that momentum has already shifting higher in anticipation of earnings. However, the recent surge higher has left AVGO stock short-term overbought, based on its 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 82.01, which means a post-earnings reversal on any negative news is a very real possibility. How to Prep for AVGO Earnings Like a Pro Review the Expected Move Range Check Gamma Exposure Levels Watch for updates in Analyst Ratings Look at historical Seasonal Returns Stream our latest AVGO Reel Breakdown Watch In Under 60 Seconds: Explore the Tools
Globe and Mail
27 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
VerticalScope Announces CEO Transition and Executive Appointment to Drive Next Phase of Growth
VerticalScope Holdings Inc. ('VerticalScope' or the 'Company') (TSX: FORA; OTCQX: VFORF), a technology company that has built and operates a cloud-based digital platform for online enthusiast communities, is announcing a strategic leadership transition to drive its next phase of growth. Effective today, Chris Goodridge has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, succeeding VerticalScope founder Rob Laidlaw, who will continue in his role as Chair of the Board. In addition, Ezra Menaged, previously CEO of Hometalk (acquired by VerticalScope in 2021), has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Ezra, who has played a key role in diversifying the Company's audience sources, advancing its advertising technology platform and building an AI-driven content strategy; will work closely with Chris to scale these efforts across the broader business. These appointments strengthen VerticalScope's leadership team at a pivotal time, as generative AI reshapes how users discover and engage with content. To stay ahead, the Company is intensifying its focus on execution, speed, and innovation across its platform of over 1,200 enthusiast communities and two billion posts. With its deep archive of structured, human-generated content and high-intent audiences, community-based platforms like Fora give VerticalScope a powerful edge in an AI-driven world – offering authenticity, interactivity and context that algorithmic content alone cannot replicate. 'Today marks an exciting next step in our company's evolution,' said Rob Laidlaw. 'The internet is changing rapidly, and VerticalScope remains well-positioned with its rich trove of user-generated content. Chris is the right leader to continue moving the business forward with speed and focus, and I'm thrilled that he'll be supported by Ezra — a proven operator who's already made a tremendous impact. As Chair, I'll continue to support the team with a focus on long-term vision, strategy, and scaling AI innovation across our business.' Chris Goodridge, who has served as President and COO since 2020, has been a driving force behind VerticalScope's growth. 'I'm honoured to step into the CEO role at such a transformational moment,' said Goodridge. 'With a strong foundation of high-intent audiences, scalable tech, and valuable content, we're poised to lead. Ezra and I share a vision of the vibrant future of community-driven platforms. Together, we'll drive that vision with a focus on accelerating our AI adoption, expanding direct traffic, and diversifying our revenue base to build an even more resilient business.' Ezra Menaged added, 'I'm excited to take on the COO role and to help scale audience growth with AI-driven audience strategies across the VerticalScope platform. Our goal is to make our communities more accessible, more engaging, and more essential to users — regardless of how they arrive. This is an important moment, and I'm looking forward to working with Chris and the entire team to shape the future of VerticalScope.' About VerticalScope Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, VerticalScope is a technology company that has built and operates a cloud-based digital platform for online enthusiast communities in high consumer spending categories. VerticalScope's mission is to enable people with common interests to connect, explore their passions, and share knowledge about the things they love. Through targeted acquisitions and development, VerticalScope has built a portfolio of over 1,200 online communities and approximately 100 million monthly active users. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation that reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events. When used in this news release, words such as 'should', 'could', 'intended', 'expect', 'plan' or 'believe' and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information, including the Company's financial outlook, plans for organic growth, deployment of capital, investments in our platform, new platform features, information regarding our financial position, business strategy, growth strategies, addressable markets, budgets, operations, financial results, plans and objectives, the transition of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer roles, including the impact on the Company's future financial performance, the acceleration of the Company's AI adoption, expansion of direct traffic and diversification of its revenue base and the scaling of the Company's audience growth and AI-driven content strategies is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Although the Company believes that its expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and no assurances can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the implementation and effectiveness of the Company's capital allocation strategy, investments in its platform, the availability of high-quality M&A opportunities, and the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2025, which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR Plus at Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. VerticalScope does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws.
