One in two Dutch people will develop cancer, of which 20% is a rare cancer (including childhood cancers). REACT-NL, a collaboration between KWF, KiKa, and Oncode Institute, aims at improving the diagnostics and treatment of rare tumours. The program stimulates innovation within public-private partnerships, with emphasis on valorization, to enhance patient outcomes.
REACT-NL (RAre Cancer Therapies-NL)
One in two Dutch people will develop cancer. In approximately 20% of cases, it involves a rare form of cancer, affecting about 25,000 people in the Netherlands annually, including 600 children,.
People with rare cancers face additional challenges; diagnosis often takes longer and there are fewer treatment options. As a result, the prognosis for patients with rare cancers is often worse. Therefore, rare tumors have been designated as a key priority by both the European Commission (Rare Cancer Agenda 2030) and the Dutch Cancer Agenda (NKA).
In REACT-NL, Dutch Cancer Society (KWF), Children Cancer Free Foundation (KiKa), and Oncode Institute join forces to improve the diagnostics and treatment for rare cancers, including childhood cancers. In 2025, the program aims to launch a call to select the best proposals for accelerating innovations for rare cancer. The program promotes multidisciplinary research and the application of technologies such as AI, cell and gene therapy, radionuclides, and imaging techniques.
The goal of REACT-NL is to initiate multiple public-private partnerships within the program, focusing on clinical translation, to improve the perspective for patients with rare cancers. Therapies for rare cancers often lack a clearly defined path to market access and commercialization. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity to establish such pathways with the right stakeholders. Special attention is given to valorization: The Oncode Institute valorization team specializes in translating scientific knowledge into applied research and has an extensive network of valorization partners.
KWF, KiKa, and Oncode Institute invite public-private partnerships to submit project proposals in response to a thematic call, which will be announced shortly. Proposals will be evaluated by an independent thematic committee.