Oncode Accelerator Pulse - Autumn 2024
Setting the Stage for Tomorrow
Personal motivations are key to propel us forward in our ambitious, collaborative effort to make a positive impact on the lives of cancer patients.
Editorial: The Oncode Accelerator Board of Directors on Laying the Foundations of our Oncology Ecosystem
In the editorial of the first Oncode Accelerator Collection, we touched upon our definition of success for the Oncode Accelerator program, apart from ‘reaching our goals’. We concluded that there are multiple ways to look at this, and that it can be different depending on who you ask. This is emphasized in this issue by patient advocate Pauline Evers, who states that she will consider the program to be successful ‘when at least half of the projects are focused on rare cancers’, which are neglected in many research initiatives.
Perspective matters, and these personal motivations are key to propel us forward in our ambitious, collaborative effort to make a positive impact on the lives of cancer patients.
However, one key aspect contributing to our success is not open for different interpretations. These are our drug development projects, or as we call them our Demonstrator Projects, and since April we have come a long way. ‘Demonstrator Projects are a testament to the potential of academic research when given the right support’, says our business developer Bastiaan Bijl in an interview in this magazine. His statement reflects our ambition to make a difference by speeding up the process of cancer therapy development. Demonstrator Projects are key to achieving this.
Validating our approach will ensure a long-term, lasting impact on patient’s perspectives and the Dutch economy.
Since the opening of the Demonstrator Project call in April, 20 applications have been received. 18 of them are still in the process, managed by our growing team of project managers and business developers, and 6 of them are close to expert review. The first call remains open until September 2025, so any interested party will still have the opportunity to access to our unique cancer research network and infrastructure, comprising state-of-the-art equipment, world-class research institutes and industry, top scientists, and a dedicated team to manage the process from start to finish.
As Liesbeth de Vries, chair of the Demonstrator Advisory Board, states in this issue: ‘Take advantage of the connections within the Oncode Accelerator network across workstreams and platforms. Collectively, Oncode Accelerator wants to make sure that your project funding has maximum impact.’ However, it is important to realize that Demonstrator Projects not only bring promising leads to the next stage in preclinical drug development, but they also validate our innovative infrastructure, as explained in the article on the intersection of the Patient Cohorts and the Organoids platforms. Validating our approach through Demonstrator Projects will ensure a long-term, lasting impact on patients’ perspectives and the Dutch economy. So, Oncode Accelerator is not only about what we are achieving today – it is also about setting the stage for tomorrow.
Read the Collection
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Adaptive Clinical Trials: Where the Patient Cohorts and Organoids Platforms Meet
The Oncode Accelerator Patient Cohorts and Organoids Platform will be closely collaborating in so-called adaptive clinical trial designs. We asked organoid platform manager Helena Viñas Gaza and clinical trial expert Peter van de Ven how this infrastructure will play a key role in Oncode Accelerator. -
Oncode Accelerator and the Future of Drug Development: An Interview with our Business Developers
Arnoud Huisman and Bastiaan Bijl have the important task to make sure Oncode Accelerator delivers on its promise: to change preclinical therapy development forever. ‘Oncode Accelerator is not just about what we're achieving today; it's about setting the stage for tomorrow.’ -
Joining Forces to Accelerate Development of ATMPs
Four National Growth Fund-supported initiatives are joining forces to drive development of cell-based therapeutic products and approaches – and invite others to join them.
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‘I have lost my heart to patient organisations’ - An Interview with Pauline Evers
The patient perspective is of vital importance to the Oncode Accelerator program. It’s hard to find someone more passionate about this than Pauline Evers, advocate for equal access to innovative treatments at the Dutch Federation of Cancer Patient Organizations (NFK). -
A Collaborative Spirit: An Interview with Liesbeth de Vries
Liesbeth de Vries is Chair of the Demonstrator Advisory Board, a key element of the Oncode Accelerator Program. She introduces herself in this blog. ‘I like to think I’ve built a reputation for fairness and meticulousness.’ -
Oncode Accelerator Announces First Demonstrator Projects Call
After 1.5 years of laying a solid foundation for its unique preclinical cancer therapy development infrastructure, Oncode Accelerator announces the opening of its first call for Demonstrator Projects. Interested parties can be eligible for co-funding of their project.
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Bringing Next-Gen Cell and Gene Therapy to Patients
Jurgen Kuball and Inge Jedema explain the role and added value of the Cell and Gene Therapy Workstream in Oncode Accelerator. “We want to accelerate product development.” -
“The innovative approach of Oncode Accelerator can make therapeutic cancer vaccines a success for patients”
Sjoerd van der Burg and Sebastiaan van Heesch are optimistic about the future of therapeutic cancer vaccines and how Oncode Accelerator will enhance collaborations within the field of cancer therapy development. “Therapeutic vaccines will be an important player in the treatment of cancer and in combination with other immunotherapies could improve quality of life for cancer patients.”
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