An Entrepreneur Uses AI to Save His Dog From Cancer
The bond between humans and their pets is profound, and for Paul Conyngham, an Australian tech entrepreneur, this bond spurred an extraordinary quest. When his beloved dog, Rosie, was diagnosed with aggressive mast cell cancer in 2024, facing a prognosis of only one to six months to live, Paul refused to accept defeat. Leveraging his expertise in AI, he embarked on an ambitious journey to develop a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine for Rosie, transforming a grim diagnosis into a story of hope and innovation.
Source: Paul Conyngham leveraged his tech expertise to tackle his dog Rosie’s aggressive cancer after receiving a grim prognosis from veterinarians.
Quick Summary
Here’s a brief overview of Paul Conyngham’s remarkable journey to save Rosie:
- The Challenge: Rosie, a seven-to-eight-year-old Staffy-Cross-Shar Pei, was diagnosed with aggressive mast cell cancer in 2024 with a prognosis of 1-6 months.
- AI as a Guide: Paul Conyngham, an AI consultant, used ChatGPT to strategize his research, which pointed him towards immunotherapy and genomic sequencing.
- Genomic Sequencing: Rosie’s DNA and her tumor’s DNA were sequenced at the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, costing approximately $3,000 USD.
- Target Identification: AlphaFold, an AI protein prediction tool, helped identify the c-KIT protein as a key driver of the cancer and revealed its structural vulnerabilities.
- Vaccine Development: A personalized mRNA vaccine was synthesized by Professor Páll Thordarson at the UNSW RNA Institute, encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Conyngham navigated complex ethical approval processes, eventually collaborating with Professor Rachel Allavena of the University of Queensland.
- Dramatic Results: After two vaccine doses in December 2025, Rosie’s tennis ball-sized tumor shrank by 75% within a month, and her overall health significantly improved.
- Broader Implications: Rosie’s case highlights the potential of personalized medicine and AI’s role in accelerating scientific discovery, though researchers emphasize it’s not a universal cure.
The AI-Powered Quest for a Cure
As a co-founder of Core Intelligence Technologies and a former director of the Data Science and AI Association of Australia, Paul Conyngham’s first instinct was to turn to technology. He didn’t just use ChatGPT for simple queries; he engaged it as a strategic partner in his research, a detailed account of which can be found in this Inc.com article. ChatGPT’s recommendations quickly steered him towards immunotherapy and genomic sequencing.
This critical guidance led him to sequence both Rosie’s DNA and the DNA of her tumor. This advanced process, costing around $3,000 USD (approximately £1,920), was performed at the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics at the UNSW, a leading institution in Australia. The genomic data was immense—about 320 gigabytes. To put this into perspective, if printed on A4 paper in 11-point font, it would fill nearly 700,000 double-sided pages, forming a stack roughly 20 stories high. This vast amount of information held the key to understanding Rosie’s specific cancer.
Identifying the Target: c-KIT Protein
Through his intensive research, Conyngham identified the c-KIT protein as a primary driver for canine mast cell tumors, a common form of skin cancer in dogs, as explained by PDSA. To gain a deeper understanding of this protein’s complex structure, he turned to AlphaFold.
Source: reddit.com
AlphaFold, awarded the Nobel Prize for its predictive capabilities, was used to model Rosie’s c-KIT protein and reveal vulnerabilities.
AlphaFold, a groundbreaking program developed by a Google subsidiary, earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2024 for its remarkable ability to predict protein structures with unparalleled accuracy. Using AlphaFold, Conyngham modeled Rosie’s c-KIT protein, revealing significant structural differences compared to a healthy protein. This insight allowed him to pinpoint vulnerabilities within the protein and identify chemical compounds that could specifically target the cancer. Remarkably, he discovered a compound already used in the US to treat a different human cancer by attacking a protein structurally similar to c-KIT.
Developing the Personalized mRNA Vaccine
The development of Rosie’s personalized mRNA vaccine was a collaborative effort involving brilliant researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the University of Queensland. Professor Páll Thordarson, the distinguished Director of the UNSW RNA Institute, played a pivotal role in synthesizing the custom mRNA vaccine.
Source: iconnference.com
Professor Páll Thordarson, Director of the UNSW RNA Institute, was a key collaborator in synthesizing Rosie’s personalized mRNA vaccine.
The innovative vaccine was meticulously encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles to ensure effective delivery within Rosie’s body. The entire manufacturing process, from receiving the genomic sequence to producing the encapsulated vaccine, was completed in less than two months. This rapid turnaround marked a significant achievement, as it was the first personalized cancer vaccine ever developed for a dog, as highlighted in the Inc.com article.
Overcoming Regulatory Hurdles and Witnessing Results
While the scientific challenges were immense, Paul Conyngham found navigating Australia’s rigorous ethical approval process to be an even greater hurdle. He dedicated three months to meticulously preparing a comprehensive 100-page ethics application. Fortunately, a connection through Mari Maeda, founder of the US-based Canine Cancer Alliance, led him to Professor Rachel Allavena of the University of Queensland. Professor Allavena already possessed the necessary ethical approval for experimental treatments, streamlining the path forward for Rosie’s treatment.
In December 2025, Conyngham undertook a ten-hour drive to Gatton, Queensland, for Rosie’s first vaccine injection, followed by a crucial booster dose. The results were astonishing: within a single month, the tennis ball-sized tumor on Rosie’s hock shrank by an incredible 75%. Rosie’s overall tumor burden dramatically decreased, and her energy levels and behavior noticeably improved. By January 2026, Rosie, who had been lethargic and barely moving in December due to the debilitating tumors, was joyfully able to jump a fence in the dog park to chase a rabbit—a heartwarming testament to her recovery. Six weeks after the initial treatment, Rosie’s condition had improved dramatically. Although a resistant tumor later necessitated a second analysis and a follow-up vaccine targeting other specific mutations, the initial success was profound.
The Role of AI and Personalized Medicine
Rosie’s remarkable improvement, while not solely attributable to the vaccine (as mast cell tumors can be unpredictable and this was a single-subject study), profoundly highlights the potential of personalized medicine and the crucial role of AI in accelerating groundbreaking research. As the Inc.com article further details, UNSW researchers wisely emphasize that this is not a universal cure, but rather a successful, targeted effort in gaining valuable time for Rosie.
It’s important to note that AI acted as an indispensable guide and assistant, with qualified scientists meticulously reviewing the work and conducting all laboratory procedures. Dr. Michie from the Ramaciotti Centre views Rosie’s case as a compelling example of the rapid development in the field and the increasing accessibility of personalized medicine. The Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, which proudly celebrated its 25th anniversary in June 2025, has seen its sequencing capacity expand exponentially, growing from merely a few hundred samples annually a decade ago to tens of thousands today.
Source: unsw.edu.au
The Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, instrumental in Rosie’s case, has seen its sequencing capacity grow exponentially.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is mast cell cancer in dogs?
Mast cell tumors are a common type of skin cancer in dogs. They can be aggressive and spread to other parts of the body. Conventional treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but prognosis can vary widely.
How did AI help in developing the vaccine?
AI tools like ChatGPT were used for strategic planning and ideation, guiding research towards immunotherapy and genomic sequencing. AlphaFold was critical for predicting the 3D structure of Rosie’s c-KIT protein, identifying vulnerabilities, and suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
What is an mRNA cancer vaccine?
An mRNA cancer vaccine works similarly to mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases. It delivers genetic instructions to the body’s cells to produce specific cancer-related proteins (neoantigens). The immune system then recognizes these proteins as foreign and learns to attack cancer cells.
Is this a cure for all canine cancers?
No, this is not a universal cure. Rosie’s case was a personalized treatment tailored to her specific tumor. While highly successful for her, every cancer is unique, and further research is needed to determine broader applicability. It highlights the potential of personalized medicine rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution.
Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics Milestones
The Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics played a crucial role in Rosie’s journey, providing the essential genomic sequencing. Here are some key facts about the center:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | UNSW, Australia |
| Director | Associate Professor Martin Smith |
| Anniversary | Celebrated 25 years in June 2025 |
| Sequencing Capacity (10 years ago) | A few hundred samples per year |
| Current Sequencing Capacity | Tens of thousands of samples per year |
Source: YouTube