Oncode Institute, Oncode Accelerator, and Cancer Research Horizons form strategic alliance

London (United Kingdom), December 3rd, 2024. During the Dutch economic mission to the United Kingdom (led by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Dutch embassy in London) Oncode Institute, Oncode Accelerator and Cancer Research Horizons – the innovation arm of Cancer Research UK – took a significant step towards future collaboration.

^{Photo credits: pdmedia}

From December 2nd through 5th, several companies and research institutions working in the life science & health sectors participated in the mission, which focused on the development of advanced therapies and innovative technologies.

On December 3rd, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aid Reinette Klever joined the program. The day included collaborative discussions between Dutch and British public and private organizations, covering topics such as leveraging patient-derived models (including organoids) for the development of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), building cost-effective infrastructure to support drug discovery and development, and regulatory challenges and opportunities.

In line with this spirit of public-private and international collaboration, a ceremonial signing of key collaboration agreements between Dutch and British companies and organizations was hosted by Minister Klever. Among these collaboration agreements was the incorporation of Oncode Accelerator into the longstanding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Oncode Institute and Cancer Research Horizons – strengthening and building upon this successful international partnership. Oncode Institute and Oncode Accelerator are complementary sister organizations, united under the common goal of outsmarting cancer and impacting lives.

Mark Krul, Chief Scientific Officer of Oncode Accelerator Foundation, commented on the significance of the MoU: "The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with our sister organization Oncode Institute and Cancer Research Horizons is an important moment for Oncode Accelerator as we expand our international collaboration efforts. This agreement strengthens our commitment to accelerating the development of new cancer therapies by working collaboratively with other experts in the field.”

Tony Hickson, Chief Business Officer of Cancer Research UK and Cancer Research Horizons, said: “This strategic alliance marks an exciting chapter in our shared mission to outsmart cancer. By deepening our collaboration with Oncode Institute and welcoming Oncode Accelerator into this partnership, we are creating a powerful framework for advancing cancer research and therapy development.”

Jan Paul Medema, Scientific Director and Head of Oncode Institute: “Together we are stronger: with the vast pool of oncology expertise embodied by the partner’s commitment to building and funding innovations that accelerate the development of novel cancer therapies, we can further accelerate the translation of scientific breakthroughs to tangible solutions that benefit patients. This brings us closer to outsmarting cancer and impacting lives on an international scale."

About Oncode Institute
Oncode Institute is an independent research institute dedicated to realizing breakthroughs in the understanding of cancer and translating them into clinical practice for the benefit of cancer patients. The institute is founded on three pillars: Excellent Science, Collaboration, and Valorization – together creating impact. The institute unites over 750 researchers at 13 partnered research institutes across the Netherlands, all dedicated to achieving the same mission: to drive breakthrough discoveries and accelerate their translation into new diagnostics and treatments for cancer patients. Even in its short existence, the institute has driven the identification of treatment improvements and discovery of new therapies, and has established 10 start-ups— all with the goal of improving the survival and quality of life of cancer patients."
Website: https://oncodeinstitute.nl

About Oncode Accelerator
Oncode Accelerator is a public-private partnership funded by the Dutch National Growth Fund that brings together six key coordinating partners: Leiden University, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Princess Máxima Center, UMC Utrecht, and the Oncode Accelerator Foundation. Oncode Accelerator partners believe that preclinical drug discovery and therapy development can be significantly accelerated and de-risked by leveraging an innovative combination of well-defined patient cohorts, organoid models, and artificial intelligence platforms. Oncode Accelerator preclinical drug discovery pipelines, known as workstreams, focus on the four most prominent types of cancer therapies: small molecules; biologics; cell and gene therapy; and therapeutic vaccines.
Website: https://www.oncodeaccelerator.nl

About Cancer Research Horizons
Cancer Research Horizons is the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK – the world's largest charitable funder of cancer research. We bring together world-leading minds, bold ideas and the right partners to bridge the gap between academic research and taking drugs to market. We focus on the tougher, more profound ideas that can lead to true innovation, translating them into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients.  To date, we've played an instrumental role in forming over 70 start-ups. We've helped bring 14 cancer drugs to market, borne out of Cancer Research UK's pioneering research. Through these drugs, we have enabled in excess of 6 million courses of treatment for cancer patients across the world.  With access to Cancer Research UK's network of 4,000 exceptional researchers, and £400m of annual research spend, we're a powerful partner in the fight to conquer cancer. By uniting our commercial partnerships and therapeutic innovation capabilities, Cancer Research Horizons is uniquely placed to support translational funding, entrepreneurial development, licensing and collaboration, spinout creation, and offer a full spectrum of drug discovery and clinical capabilities. 
Every penny we make goes back into funding the next bold steps, to help bring forward the day when all cancers are conquered. 
For more information and to get in touch with the team, visit cancerresearchhorizons.com.

Photo credits: pdmedia

Source: Oncode Institute