OncoDNA, a company rooted in Belgium, is at the forefront of tailoring cancer and genetic disease treatments through cutting-edge genomics and theranostic strategies. In a conversation with Bernard Courtieu, the CEO, we delved into the latest breakthroughs in precision medicine. These advancements not only offer new hope to those battling cancer but also equip doctors and scientists with revolutionary tools to fight this complex disease more effectively.
Kindly share your personal and company background
For the past three decades, I have immersed myself in the dynamic world of life sciences and biotechnology. My journey took a significant turn in 2007 when I assumed leadership of IntegraGen, a notable player in the French genomics arena. This venture marked its evolution with its acquisition by OncoDNA, steering us onto a grander stage within precision medicine’s domain.
Under my stewardship, OncoDNA has flourished, manifesting as an influential force across the globe. Our team, comprising 115 dedicated professionals, celebrated over 14 million euros in revenue last year alone. The origins of IntegraGen trace back to 2000, birthed from academic pursuits into an entity serving both scholarly and industrial sectors with cutting-edge genomic services.
The inception of OncoDNA in 2012 by Jean-Pol Detiffe – whom I’ve had the pleasure of knowing since 2006 – opened avenues for collaboration that seemed inevitable given our shared vision for precision medicine. Though initially operating on parallel paths, IntegraGen focusing primarily on France and academic research while OncoDNA catered to a global audience with its therapeutic diagnostics, it became clear that uniting our efforts would fortify our mission.
This merger wasn’t just about expanding our footprint but enriching the entire ecosystem from research to patient care. Today, we’re proud to bridge connections across major cancer and research centers worldwide including esteemed institutions like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Curie Institute. Offering genomic services along with comprehensive support ranging from biomarker tests to clinical interpretations aligns us closer to pioneering advancements in healthcare.
In essence, leading OncoDNA signifies not just overseeing operations but steering an enterprise at science’s frontier—transforming hopes into tangible solutions for those embroiled in health battles against time itself.
What problems do you help your clients with?
Navigating the vast ocean of genomic data and securing funding from insurers are pivotal to bringing precision medicine into the mainstream. The crux of the matter lies in our ability to simplify complex genetic information, which can be as voluminous as 200-300 gigabytes per patient, imagine trying to sift through a stack of books the size of 100 Bibles in just half an hour! Clearly, it’s not feasible without some serious tech backup for data interpretation.
To tackle this head-on, several tools have been crafted allowing healthcare professionals and researchers alike to distill a patient’s genetic profile down to something far more digestible. Think less War and Peace, more like a concise executive summary or even a few pages at most. This approach isn’t just about making life easier; it’s about making precision medicine practical and accessible.
On the flip side, funding is another beast entirely. Despite biomarker tests being essential for targeted treatments, they’re often left out in the cold when it comes to insurance coverage. It’s like knowing you’ve got a small leak that could turn into a flood but ignoring it because patching it up isn’t covered by your home insurance, shortsighted at best.
Thankfully, some countries are starting to catch on. Germany, UK, and France are dipping their toes into initiatives that make these advanced treatments more accessible. However, such efforts remain few and far between.
The financial quandary begs for greater involvement from pharmaceutical companies and larger clinical centers since research dollars here can directly translate into breakthrough therapies tomorrow. After all, spending on biomarker testing is only a fraction compared to overall treatment costs yet plays such an integral role in patients’ care pathways.
The recent pandemic threw diagnostics into the spotlight further underlining its significance not just as part of healthcare but as an indispensable pillar within itself – much like how we now view personal hygiene post-COVID-19 era.
In essence: if societies truly aim for wider access to personalized treatments reflecting individuals’ unique genetic makeup then dialing up investments in diagnostics along with streamlining regulatory pathways for reimbursement appears non-negotiable.
Advantages for the patient
The advantages of precision medicine, especially for patients battling advanced cancer stages, are undeniably significant. There have been instances where individuals with no other options were presented with alternative treatments, leading to remarkable stories of long-term remission. This approach not only offers hope beyond traditional care that often leans towards palliation but also introduces a new horizon in patient care.
However, it’s crucial to address the economic aspect that comes into play with these advanced therapies. The escalating costs make them accessible primarily to those who are financially well-off or possess comprehensive insurance coverage. Yet, it’s the unique genomic makeup of patients that determines their suitability for such treatments, making it a highly selective process.
The financial upside of adopting precision medicine is twofold. Firstly, it prevents spending on ineffective treatments for patients unlikely to benefit from them. Secondly, it ensures those who are most likely to respond positively receive access to these targeted therapies. This strategic allocation not only enhances patient outcomes but also represents a more efficient use of medical resources.
What current treatments or technologies interest you?
We’re witnessing an unprecedented shift in medical science, a change so profound it’s reshaping how we view and treat diseases. Two decades ago, the prognosis for certain conditions seemed grim at best. Take malignant melanoma, for instance—once considered a near-certain death sentence within three years, over half of those diagnosed now surpass this timeframe.
The advent of genomics has ushered in another groundbreaking change. Gone are the days when analyzing tumors required fresh samples. Now, just a small sample of blood, urine, or saliva can reveal the genetic blueprint of cancer cells without invasive procedures.
Lung cancer treatment illustrates how these innovations are transforming patient care. Traditional surgery often isn’t an option due to multiple tumors and its taxing effects on patients both physically and financially. However, liquid biopsy has emerged as a game-changer. This simple procedure allows doctors to monitor disease progression and adjust treatments more accurately through regular blood tests.
This evolution in patient management truly signifies a revolution happening before our eyes—a decade-long journey of relentless advancement toward understanding and combating diseases more effectively than ever before.
What does the future hold for OncoDNA?
In recent years, innovative strides in medicine have brought us closer than ever to personalized healthcare solutions. Among these advancements, the development of mRNA vaccines by companies such as Moderna and BioNTech stands out. Initially perceived as a futuristic concept, this technology has proven its worth by delivering effective immune responses.
Parallel to this breakthrough is the progress in immune oncology. This approach enhances the body’s natural defenses to combat cancer through a groundbreaking method: creating vaccines tailored to an individual’s unique cancer profile. By analyzing the specific mutations within a tumor, scientists can craft custom vaccines that instruct the body’s lymphocytes—key players in our immune system—to pinpoint and attack only the cancerous cells.
Such targeted therapy represents a quantum leap from traditional treatments that indiscriminately stimulate all lymphocytes, often leading to less precision in attacking cancer cells. The beauty of personalized vaccines lies in their ability to act like homing missiles, zeroing in on cells displaying those mutations without harming healthy tissue.
While still in the experimental stage, this approach holds immense promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment. Not only could it enhance current drug therapies by multiples but it brings us one step closer to potentially eradicating cancer altogether.
The fusion of immune oncology drugs with patient-specific vaccines offers an exhilarating glimpse into future possibilities where we can more accurately target malignancies at their molecular level. Such innovation underscores our advancing capability to tailor medical interventions more precisely than ever before—a thrilling prospect that may well redefine our battle against cancer.
