Partnership to build India’s first integrated Precision Oncology Ecosystem combining AI, genomic testing and Amaravati Quantum Valley’s innovation capabilities

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AstraZeneca India to establish India’s first integrated Precision Oncology Ecosystem, bringing together Artificial Intelligence (AI), Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), advanced genomics and the innovation capabilities of Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV) to transform cancer care.

The initiative aims to create a technology-enabled cancer care model spanning the entire patient journey — from early screening and diagnosis to genomic testing, personalised treatment and long-term follow-up — positioning Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of precision medicine in India.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, AstraZeneca Pharma India Country President & Managing Director Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad, and senior health department officials.

What the AI and Genomics Partnership Includes

As part of the collaboration:

• AstraZeneca India will deploy Qure.ai’s AI-powered chest X-ray solution across selected government healthcare facilities to strengthen early detection of lung cancer
• An Integrated Genomic Solutions Centre (IGSC) will be established, providing NGS-based biomarker testing for lung and breast cancer patients
• Eligible patients will receive complimentary biomarker testing during the initial phase, improving access to advanced genomic diagnostics often limited by cost and availability

How the Precision Oncology Ecosystem Will Be Implemented

The Andhra Pradesh Government will provide infrastructure and institutional support, while AstraZeneca India — in collaboration with Strand Life Sciences and Qure.ai — will lead implementation, bringing expertise in precision oncology, biomarker testing and clinical pathway development.

The initiative will also establish an integrated patient referral network connecting district hospitals, medical colleges and specialised cancer centres, ensuring seamless care from screening to diagnosis, genomic testing, treatment and follow-up.

In the long term, the ecosystem is expected to leverage Amaravati Quantum Valley’s advanced computing capabilities to support AI-driven research, drug discovery and precision medicine.

Why AI-Driven Cancer Care Is Critical for India

The initiative comes at a crucial time as cancer continues to pose a major public health challenge in India:

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) records more than 1.4 million new cancer cases annually in India, with lung and breast cancers among the leading contributors to cancer-related mortality
• The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates cancer accounted for nearly 10 million deaths globally in 2024

Experts believe that integrating AI with genomics can significantly improve early detection, treatment selection and survival outcomes by enabling clinicians to tailor therapies based on a patient’s genetic profile.

A Landmark Step for India’s Public Oncology Infrastructure

Healthcare experts have described the collaboration as a landmark step towards modernising India’s public oncology infrastructure. By integrating AI-enabled screening, advanced genomic diagnostics and precision medicine into the public healthcare system, the Andhra Pradesh-AstraZeneca partnership is expected to reduce diagnostic delays, improve access to personalised cancer care, and establish a scalable national model for technology-driven oncology.

The initiative also reinforces Andhra Pradesh’s ambition to emerge as a leading hub for healthcare innovation, genomics and AI-powered medical research in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the Andhra Pradesh-AstraZeneca MoU about? The Andhra Pradesh Government and AstraZeneca India have signed an MoU to build India’s first integrated Precision Oncology Ecosystem, combining AI, genomics and Amaravati Quantum Valley’s computing capabilities for advanced cancer care.

Q2. What role does Qure.ai play in this partnership? Qure.ai’s AI-powered chest X-ray solution will be deployed across select government healthcare facilities in Andhra Pradesh to strengthen early detection of lung cancer.

Q3. What is the Integrated Genomic Solutions Centre (IGSC)? IGSC is a new facility under this initiative that will provide Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based biomarker testing for lung and breast cancer patients, with complimentary testing offered during the initial phase.

Q4. How will patients benefit from this initiative? Patients will gain access to AI-enabled early cancer screening, affordable genomic biomarker testing, and personalised treatment through an integrated referral network connecting district hospitals, medical colleges and cancer centres.

Q5. Why is precision oncology important for India? India records over 1.4 million new cancer cases annually (ICMR), and integrating AI with genomics can improve early detection, treatment selection and survival outcomes.