Two prominent organizations in cancer research, Indivumed and the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), have announced a significant partnership aimed at enhancing precision oncology. This collaboration seeks to accelerate the development of novel cancer therapeutics, particularly for patients facing high medical needs. The announcement was made on December 10, 2025, highlighting a commitment to improving patient outcomes through innovative research methodologies.
Leveraging Advanced Research Techniques
Indivumed, based in Hamburg, Germany, is recognized for its systematic approach to collecting and curating surgical tissue samples alongside comprehensive clinical data. This patient-centric model is designed to facilitate research and development in cancer treatments. URMC’s Wilmot Cancer Institute, a leader in cancer care in Rochester, New York, will play a crucial role by collecting and processing high-quality biosamples and clinical data to meet Indivumed’s strict standard operating procedures.
A key aspect of this partnership is the emphasis on minimizing ischemia time to under ten minutes. This focus on sample integrity is vital for ensuring that the data collected is reliable and useful for ongoing research. The collaboration will prioritize the creation of well-characterized, patient-derived tumor models (PDTMs) from these samples, which will include various cell models such as classical cell cultures, spheroids, and organoids. These models will enhance the process of identifying and validating pharmaceutical targets in cancer treatment.
Focus on High-Need Cancer Types
Initially, the partnership will concentrate on advanced stages of solid tumors with significant medical need, including colorectal cancer (CRC), pancreatic cancer (PDAC), lung cancer, and breast cancer. There is potential for the collaboration to expand into additional cancer types as insights are gained through the research efforts.
Hartmut “Hucky” Land, PhD, Deputy Director of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “Our familiarity with Indivumed’s tissue and multi-omics data approach will provide an excellent foundation. The new project will create greater opportunities to identify new therapeutics and biomarkers, uncover insights on the right target-patient match for clinical decision-making, and thus help advance cancer care.”
Indivumed’s CEO and founder, Hartmut Juhl, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of a patient-centered approach to cancer treatment. “We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with URMC, significantly enhancing our ability to identify novel cancer therapeutics,” he said. The aim is to develop primary tumor models for testing new compounds against targets identified through Indivumed’s AI-powered data analytics.
The partnership marks a strategic expansion for Indivumed, as URMC joins its Global Clinical Network, which includes a range of esteemed hospitals and oncology institutes across North America, Europe, and Asia. This collaborative effort builds on previous successful projects, including a recent publication that explored new classification methods for colon cancer.
Indivumed is committed to advancing precision oncology and aims to redefine cancer treatment by providing tailored therapeutic options to patients. With over twenty years of experience, the company seeks to leverage its unique resources and expertise to drive forward the development of first-in-class therapeutics.
This partnership between Indivumed and URMC is expected to make significant contributions to cancer research, ultimately helping to improve patient care and outcomes in the field of oncology.
