Biotech firm hiring in PH to bolster cancer research goal

Filipino-owned biotechnology firm InterVenn Biosciences is eyeing to hire more employees in the country as it builds up its artificial intelligence (AI) team to advance cancer research.

Axel Kornerup, general manager of the company, said in a press briefing on Friday they were looking at possibly hiring up to 400 employees for the local operations.

“InterVenn is pouring in more resources, enhancing and building our AI team in the Philippines,” he said.

Currently, it has about 150 employees who are mostly software developers.

“One hundred percent of our software is proudly Philippine-made. We started this venture with the goal of not just having the means of finding a cure and early detection for cancer, but to also showcase to everyone that we Filipinos can achieve this on a global scale,” Kornerup said.

InterVenn leverages its AI platform in developing products that seek to advance diagnosis and treatment in cancer.

One of its products, DAWN, is a “blood-based test aimed at helping physicians appropriately match cancer patients to the best possible immuno-oncology therapy.”

Aldo Carrascoso, co-founder and CEO of InterVenn, said they have “made significant progress in early cancer detection thanks to the brilliant and dedicated Filipino engineers we have on board.”

Moving forward, Carrascoso said it was their goal to conduct more clinical trials that are inclusive and considerate of different ethnicities, cultures and races. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad