Indivumed and University of Rochester Join Forces for Cancer Research

Indivumed has announced an expanded collaboration with the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) aimed at advancing precision oncology through patient-centric research. This partnership, revealed on December 10, 2025, focuses on the development of novel cancer therapeutics, particularly for patients facing high medical needs.

Both institutions bring significant expertise to the collaboration. Indivumed is known for its standardized approach to collecting tissue and clinical data, which supports innovative cancer research and development. URMC contributes by managing the collection and processing of high-quality biosamples, adhering to stringent operating procedures to ensure sample integrity. A critical component of this effort is minimizing ischemia time to under ten minutes, which is essential for maintaining the quality of the biosamples.

The primary goal of this collaboration is to develop well-characterized, patient-derived tumor models (PDTMs) from collected samples. These models, which include classical cell cultures, spheroids, and organoids, will combine with data insights to enhance the identification and validation of pharmaceutical targets.

Focus on Advanced Cancers

The initial focus will be on advanced stages of solid tumors with significant medical need, such as colorectal, pancreatic, lung, and breast cancer. Insights gained from this partnership are expected to support Indivumed’s ongoing research and asset development, providing clinicians with valuable information to guide therapeutic decisions.

Hartmut Juhl, CEO and founder of Indivumed, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, 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.” He emphasized the goal of developing primary tumor models to test new compounds against targets identified through their advanced data analytics capabilities.

The partnership also allows URMC to join the Indivumed Global Clinical Network, which already includes numerous prominent hospitals and leading oncology institutes across North America, Europe, and Asia. This collaboration builds on previous successful research initiatives, including a recent publication on distinguishing various types of colon cancer.

About the Institutions

The Wilmot Cancer Institute, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, serves over three million people across 27 counties in New York. It is recognized as a leader in cancer care and research, employing over 190 oncology physicians and 500 oncology nurses, alongside approximately 115 scientists dedicated to advancing cancer research.

Indivumed, founded over twenty years ago, is a biotech company focused on precision oncology. Its mission is to discover and develop therapeutically novel targets for cancer treatments, striving for a future where every cancer patient has access to precise therapies. With a unique resource for standardized sample collection, Indivumed aims to redefine oncology and deliver effective therapies to patients.

As the collaboration progresses, both organizations are set to make significant strides in cancer research, ultimately aiming to improve outcomes for patients battling advanced cancers.