Cure51, a techbio company, has launched the Rosalind study in the UK, an NHS-approved initiative in collaboration with Cambridge University Hospitals and seven other leading UK oncology institutions. The study aims to identify the biological mechanisms responsible for exceptional cancer survival by analyzing tumor samples from over 1,000 'super-responder' patients.
The Rosalind study will focus on extensive stage small cell lung cancer, brain cancer glioblastoma, and metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Researchers will collect tumor samples from patients in the top 3% of survival for these aggressive cancers to identify the underlying biological factors contributing to their exceptional survival.
Multi-Omics Database for Novel Therapeutic Targets
Cure51 has developed a multi-layered data hub to analyze the biological features of these cancer super-survivors. The goal is to discover novel therapeutic targets that can be used to develop potentially transformative new treatments. This approach involves leveraging technology, data, and a dedicated team of computational biologists to uncover the hidden biology of miraculous survivors.
Expert Perspectives
Nicolas Wolikow, CEO and Co-Founder of Cure51, stated, "This is a pivotal step in the Rosalind study, as our first and largest partnership in the UK, advancing our mission to identify what sets cancer survivors apart. This work is made possible due to the support of the eight leading UK hospitals and institutions, all united in the goal of defeating cancer."
Dr. Thankammah Ajithkummar, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Cambridge University Hospitals, added, "With nearly 400,000 new cancer diagnoses annually in the UK, understanding why some patients achieve remarkable survival is critical... The Rosalind study represents a promising new approach to investigating the biology of cancer survivors, aiming to uncover insights that could improve outcomes for all patients."
Cure51's Strategy and Funding
Cure51 raised €15 million in Seed funding in March 2024, led by Sofinnova Partners. In October 2024, the company partnered with 10xGenomics to deploy its Visium HD precision technology, aiming to transform cancer diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately, the cure for cancer.
