Oncode Institute combines 600 of the very best oncology researchers with a highly qualified valorisation staff to ensure that breakthrough discoveries get to patients faster.
The origins of Oncode go back to 2012. LSP's managing partner René Kuijten, as member of Topsector Life Sciences & Health (Health Holland), and LSP's partner Rudy Dekeyser, former Managing Director of the Flemish biotechnology institute VIB, were convinced that a huge leap forward could be made if an institute were founded on the basis of three synergetic pillars:
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Bringing together within one institute, with a shared mission and strategy, the very best fundamental scientists working in oncology;
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Establishing a top-quality valorisation team within this institute to translate the scientists’ research findings into new diagnostics, drugs and treatments;
- Providing the institute with enough capital, i.e. Eur 250 mln over 10 years, for long-term financing to allow genuine research breakthroughs and attract top international talent.
In 2012, Kuijten and Dekeyser began advocating for these changes to the oncological ecosystem, arguing that they could propel the Netherlands to a leading position in the translation of research findings into results for patients. Five of the Netherlands’ top scientists in the international field of fundamental oncology research joined forces with Kuijten and Dekeyser and began providing scientific leadership for a new institute.
KWF Kankerbestrijding (the Dutch Cancer Society) embraced the idea of the new institute. So did Topsector Life Sciences & Health (Health Holland) and three Dutch government ministries: the Ministry of Economic Affairs; the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport; and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. In 2015, all the parties agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding in which they confirmed their willingness to contribute Eur 250 mln and in which they mandated Rudy Dekeyser and Rene Kuijten to initiate Oncode Institute. Eight Dutch research institutes and university medical centres, i.e. 600 researchers, joined Oncode.
On February 5, 2018, Oncode Institute was publicly launched in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Máxima; the Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Bruno Bruins; and the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Ingrid van Engelshoven.
Please read further on the institute: www.oncode.nl
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