Dog's AI Cancer Vaccine Exposes Pet Immunotherapy Gaps

When Sydney consultant Paul Conyngham used ChatGPT and mRNA technology to design a personalized cancer vaccine for his dying dog Rosie, the story went viral—drawing praise from Sam Altman and Demis Hassabis. But veterinary oncology experts say the reality is far more complex than headlines suggested. Torigen CEO Ashley Kalinauskas, whose company has treated roughly 2,000 animals with personalized immunotherapy, says replicating Conyngham's approach would take months of focused work. The story highlights a rapidly evolving but evidence-thin field, where companies like Torigen, ELIAS Animal Health, and Boehringer Ingelheim are navigating shifting USDA regulations while building the clinical proof needed to move beyond 'surgery and prayers.'