Oncode Institute was set up as a new model for basic research and valorization. In 2020, this approach started to bear fruits: breakthrough publications, renowned awards and grants, new spin-off companies and more than a dozen clinical studies ongoing. These achievements, combined with the positive assessment of the International Review Committee, make us eager to continue our efforts to provide our community with the tools and means to perform transformative research in 2021. It has always been clear to Oncode’s founders that our ambition to impact patients’ lives requires a long term commitment, and therefore envisioned Oncode as a long term endeavor well beyond the 5 years of Oncode’s current first phase. In 2021 Oncode will continue to supports its scientific community as it has done in previous years. In parallel we will lay the groundworks for the next phase of Oncode (2022-2027) in which we broaden our horizon and aspire to expand our collaborative and clinical activities. A logic step towards our vision:

In 2021 we anticipate to see more exciting new results from our scientific community. More and more, Oncode will focus its activities on capitalizing on these results:

• As shown in 2020, innovative research findings often forms the basis for new research grants and collaborations. To ensure further development of these findings with maximal impact, Oncode will employ its dedicated funding programmes such as the TechDev, Strategic funding support and Industry engagement programmes.  
• The Clinical Proof of Concept programme is in full swing. With the pandemic retreating, we expect to fully reignite our clinical workshops and patient engagement programme, thereby intensifying the connection between basic scientists, clinicians and patients.
• With more and more innovations maturing, Oncode’s valorization team will utilize its toolbox of valorization funds to continue bringing our inventions to the market and towards the clinic, through public private partnerships or company creation.

We sense a great deal of excitement in our community when it comes to the tangible results we are obtaining. The prospect of meeting each other again in real life in the second half of 2021 will be the icing on the cake. We are looking forward to scientific meetings, technical masterclasses and clinical workshops. Not only to further build our community, but primarily because this is where new and innovative collaborations often start. So: let’s meet again soon!

 
The Oncode Management Board