R-nuucell among eight startups chosen for the EP PerMed six-month program
The European program EP PerMed has selected eight innovative biotech ventures to advance personalized medicine, allocating six months of dedicated support and funding. The eight projects cover a range of cancer-related and genetic tools, rehabilitation, and tissue recovery solutions. Among them is the Portuguese startup R-nuucell, which will receive 80,000 euros to validate a promising therapy for aggressive cancers. The initiative is run with European funding and is executed through collaboration with a lab network that includes VectorB2B and the Tec Labs incubator.
About R-nuucell and its founders
R-nuucell was founded in 2021 by researchers tied to the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, specifically cofounders Andreia Valente and Helena Garcia. Based at Tec Labs, the startup is exploring next-generation cancer therapies with a focus on precision approaches tailored to difficult-to-treat cancers. EP PerMed’s support marks a significant milestone, affording resources and a structured validation pathway that complements the company’s ongoing research.
A six-month validation plan backed by funding
The EP PerMed program provides a six-month framework during which R-nuucell will conduct validation experiments in collaboration with the VectorB2B laboratory. The concrete aim is to demonstrate the effectiveness and practical potential of their drug candidate within realistic preclinical settings, while leveraging data from early studies to guide subsequent development steps.
Focus on PMC79 and colorectal cancer with KRAS mutation
Central to R-nuucell’s EP PerMed activities is the drug candidate PMC79, studied in the context of colorectal cancer that carries a mutation in the KRAS protein. Andreia Valente explains that the team intends to validate several aspects of their technology, particularly the efficacy of PMC79 in treating this specific cancer profile. The use of mouse models will help translate laboratory findings into meaningful biological insights that could inform future clinical strategies.
Pharmacokinetics and dosing insights
As part of the validation, researchers will gather pharmacokinetic data to understand how long the new drug persists in the body and how it is excreted. These insights are crucial for refining dosages and dosing intervals, helping to shape safe and effective treatment regimens as the therapy progresses through development.
Beyond colorectal cancer: a broader research portfolio
While colorectal cancer with KRAS mutations is a key focus, R-nuucell is also investigating potential therapies for pancreatic cancer and certain variants of lung cancer. This diversified research portfolio aligns with the broader EP PerMed agenda to explore personalized approaches across diverse cancer types, balancing ambitious innovation with rigorous validation.
Potential impact on personalized cancer therapies
Should the validation prove successful, R-nuucell could contribute meaningful advances to precision oncology. By validating a targeted therapy that accounts for tumor genetics and patient-specific factors, the startup aims to move toward therapies tailored to individual clinical contexts while maintaining an eye on robust, globally relevant statistics for cancer treatment outcomes.
As Valente notes, participation in EP PerMed is a strategic step to bolster validation efforts and accelerate the translation of their laboratory work into clinically meaningful options for patients facing aggressive cancers. The collaboration with VectorB2B and Tec Labs, supported by European funding, signals a concerted push toward practical, data-driven cancer therapies that can adapt to a range of clinical scenarios.
Outlook
The EP PerMed initiative underscores Europe’s commitment to nurturing innovative biotech startups that aim to personalize cancer care. For R-nuucell, the six-month validation path represents both a rigorous test of their drug candidate and an opportunity to refine a framework for translating preclinical successes into real-world benefits for patients with aggressive cancers.
