ONCONOURISH is one of the innovative solutions selected in FOODITY’s Open Call 2, aiming to transform the way cancer patients manage their nutrition during treatment. Proper dietary guidance is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and quality of life, yet many patients face challenges in following nutritional protocols. By combining AI technology, scientific expertise, and patient-centred design, ONCONOURISH seeks to provide personalised dietary support that empowers patients, complements hospital care, and addresses the real-world barriers to long-term dietary adherence.
Cancer is a pervasive disease that affects one in two people at some point in their lives. Despite the proven benefits of nutritional counselling in improving quality of life and reducing mortality, over 30% of cancer patients seek this service, yet it is not routinely provided in hospitals. Recognising its importance, the EU has urged its integration into cancer treatment as an essential component (resolution 2020/2267, INI).
Therefore, cancer patients are not fully utilising scientifically validated therapeutic tools, hindering their ability to achieve optimal treatment outcomes. Seeking a practical solution for cancer patients, IBIONS was cofounded by a medical-scientific team that helps people with cancer through nutritional changes based on the latest scientific evidence, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of hospital treatments and reduce side effects, thereby improving their prognosis and quality of life.
Over the past years, the medical and scientific team at IBIONS has identified a significant barrier to dietary changes among cancer patients: the difficulty in adhering to nutritional protocols due to lifelong eating habits. ONCONOURISH, an AI-based dietary optimiser using nutritional logs for cancer patients, aims to address this challenge. In collaboration with Datipic and TheMovemen, they are co-developing an AI tool to ensure it meets patients’ needs.
"We hope to advance personalised nutrition, increase patient engagement through gamification, and integrate GDPR-compliant data management with FOODITY's DataU solution. Our goal is to improve treatment outcomes by providing clear, actionable dietary guidance and ensuring our tool is accessible and user-friendly for all cancer patients."
Watch the video below to learn more about their solution:
The ONCONOURISH team
Datipic
TheMoveMen
ONCONOURISH is composed of nine multidisciplinary professionals:
- Sara Bañón Escandell, Medical Director, Co-funder, and CEO at Instituto IBIONS, and Medical Director and leader at ONCONOURISH.
- Francisco Borja Escribá, Full-stack Developer at Instituto IBIONS and ONCONOURISH: A software developer with a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, responsible for developing and maintaining new features and solutions at IBIONS.
- Sara Ripoll, Dietitian at Instituto IBIONS, in charge of patients’ diet follow-up at ONCONOURISH: With a Higher Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, I provide nutritional support and care to patients, working alongside Dr. Sara Bañón.
"I’m excited about making advanced, AI-driven nutritional care available to all cancer patients, ensuring no one is left behind in receiving the nutritional support they need during treatment."
- Cristian Fernández, Data Scientist at Datipic, in charge of the implementation of AI models at ONCONOURISH: Co-CEO and Chief Marketing Officer at Datipic, I hold a degree in Data Science from the University of Valencia and have experience in developing intelligent solutions and real-time analytics.
- Ángel González, Data Scientist at Datipic, in charge of modelling and development of AI models at ONCONOURISH: Co-CEO and Chief Technology Officer at Datipic, I hold a degree in Data Science from the University of Valencia and have an outstanding track record in developing artificial intelligence models.
- Lorena Martínez, Data Scientist at Datipic, in charge of modelling and development of AI models at ONCONOURISH: Co-CEO and Chief Financial Officer at Datipic, I hold a degree in Data Science from the University of Valencia and have experience in process optimisation and data analysis.
"What excites me the most about being part of FOODITY is the chance to contribute to a meaningful project that leverages AI in nutrition and health to enhance the quality of life for patients. It’s inspiring to help tackle unprecedented technological challenges while supporting the recovery journey of those affected by cancer."
- Javier Alcázar Ortiz, TheMoveMen Founder, responsible for patient engagement and recruitment at ONCONOURISH: “Life can change you in a second, and one event can make everything different. I firmly believe in change, and that after a difficult situation, you can ‘take away’ a great experience. TheMoveMen is that necessary, vitalist and inclusive change.”
- Julio Madrigal Matute, Nutrition Project Officer at TheMoveMen and ONCONOURISH: Principal investigator of the Oncology Nutrition Group at the University of Valencia and Director of Nutrition Projects at TheMovemen. I believe nutrition should be science, culture, and medicine.
- Ángel Borque, TheMoveMen — MD, Head of the Prostate Unit at Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, responsible for patient engagement recruitment at ONCONOURISH: An urologist with extensive professional, academic, and research experience. He is a Permanent Professor in the Department of Urology at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Zaragoza, Head of the Prostate Unit in the Urology Department at the Miguel Servet University Hospital, and a member of the Aragón Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón). He also leads the GIIS071-Urology Group, focusing on prostate cancer and other urological diseases.
"What excites me most about being part of FOODITY is the unique opportunity to merge cutting-edge technology with a deeply humanistic approach to uro-oncological care. As a urologist committed to improving outcomes for prostate cancer patients, I am thrilled by the possibility of integrating AI-driven tools and innovative nutritional strategies to create personalised, evidence-based approaches that enhance both treatment effectiveness and quality of life. FOODITY represents a revolutionary platform that empowers healthcare professionals to use data responsibly while respecting patients' autonomy. Being part of this initiative allows me to contribute to a project that not only advances clinical precision but also prioritises the human aspect of care, something I am deeply passionate about. Collaborating with experts from various fields, supported by the expertise, professionalism, and empathy of the IBIONS team in oncological nutrition and FOODITY's robust digital ecosystem, inspires me to go beyond traditional practices. It is exciting to imagine a future where we can seamlessly combine individualised predictive models, patient-centred digital tools, and nutritional interventions to address the complex needs of prostate cancer patients comprehensively. This alignment between technology, multidisciplinary collaboration, and humanisation is what truly drives my enthusiasm for being part of FOODITY."
By bridging AI technology with evidence-based nutritional guidance, ONCONOURISH demonstrates how innovation can directly support cancer patients in their daily lives. The project exemplifies the potential of data-driven solutions to complement traditional healthcare, empower patients, and improve treatment outcomes.
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