Indivumed and University of Rochester Unite to Advance Cancer Research

Indivumed and the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) have announced a significant expansion of their collaboration aimed at enhancing patient-centric cancer research. This partnership, which will leverage both organizations’ strengths, is poised to accelerate the development of novel therapeutics for patients facing urgent medical needs, particularly in the realm of precision oncology.

Collaboration Focused on Patient-Centric Innovations

Located in Hamburg, Germany, Indivumed is known for its systematic approach to collecting and analyzing standardized tissue and clinical data. This methodology is essential for driving effective cancer research and drug development. URMC’s Wilmot Cancer Institute, a recognized leader in oncology, will contribute its expertise in collecting and processing high-quality biosamples and clinical patient data. The collaboration adheres to rigorous standard operating procedures (SOPs) set forth by Indivumed, which include minimizing ischemia time to under ten minutes, thus ensuring the integrity and quality of the samples.

The primary goal of this partnership is to develop well-characterized, patient-derived tumor models (PDTMs) from these samples. These models will incorporate various formats, including classical cell cultures, spheroids, and organoids. Coupled with advanced data insights, these models will facilitate the identification, validation, and screening of pharmaceutical molecular targets for cancer treatment.

Targeting High-Need Cancer Types

Dr. Hartmut “Hucky” Land, Deputy Director of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We have worked with Indivumed successfully in the past, and our familiarity with their tissue and multi-omics data approach will provide an excellent foundation. The new project will create greater opportunities to identify new therapeutics and biomarkers, thus advancing cancer care.”

Initially, the collaboration will focus on advanced stages of solid tumors with high medical needs, including colorectal cancer (CRC), pancreatic cancer (PDAC), lung cancer, and breast cancer. There is potential for the partnership to expand its focus to include additional cancer types in the future. Insights gained from this collaboration are expected to enhance Indivumed’s ongoing research initiatives and provide clinicians with valuable guidance for therapeutic decision-making.

Hartmut Juhl, CEO and founder of Indivumed, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with URMC, significantly enhancing our ability to identify novel cancer therapeutics in a truly patient-centered approach. We will develop primary tumor models for the testing of novel compounds against targets identified through our unique AI-powered data analytical capabilities.” This agreement will integrate URMC into the Indivumed Global Clinical Network, which includes numerous esteemed hospitals and oncology institutes across North America, Europe, and Asia.

The collaboration builds on a history of successful joint research, including a recent publication that explored alternative methods for classifying distinct types of colon cancer. Such initiatives highlight the commitment of both organizations to advancing cancer research and improving patient outcomes.

The Wilmot Cancer Institute, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, serves a population exceeding three million across 27 counties in Western and Central New York. It is recognized for its comprehensive cancer care services and research, employing over 190 oncology physicians and 500 oncology nurses, along with approximately 115 cancer researchers.

Indivumed has been dedicated to precision oncology for over 20 years, focusing on discovering therapeutically novel targets for cancer treatments. The company aims to tailor therapeutic approaches to individual patients, ensuring that innovative treatments reach those in need as swiftly and accurately as possible.

For further information, contact:

Kristin Maack, VP Corporate Communications, Indivumed, email: [email protected]

Kellie Fraver, Strategic Communications Director, University of Rochester Medical Center, email: [email protected], phone: +1-585-314-1552