R-nuucell selected by EP PerMed to validate a promising cancer therapy
Portuguese biotechnology startup R-nuucell has been chosen to participate in the European Union’s EP PerMed program, a six-month initiative designed to advance precision medicine for cancer and other diseases. The Lisbon-based company was among eight startups selected for the program, which funds innovative projects aiming to validate new therapies and tools. The grant provides 80,000 euros to support preclinical validation and data generation that could accelerate the path from laboratory research to patient-ready solutions.
R-nuucell was founded in 2021 by researchers from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, Andreia Valente and Helena Garcia, and operates from the Tec Labs incubator. The program’s rigorous selection underscores the momentum of Portuguese biotech on the European stage and highlights a broader push toward therapies tailored to individual cancer profiles.
What EP PerMed aims to achieve and how R-nuucell will participate
EP PerMed is funded by the European Union with a focus on validating ambitious ideas that combine cancer biology, genetics, and clinical relevance. For R-nuucell, participation offers a concrete opportunity to validate key aspects of its therapeutic candidate using a collaborative laboratory framework. The company will conduct validation experiments at the VectorB2B collaborative laboratory, with guidance and infrastructure that enable high-quality in vitro and in vivo studies while ensuring scientific rigor and reproducibility.
As part of the program, R-nuucell will explore multiple facets of its technology, with particular emphasis on the candidate drug PMC79. The team’s work centers on colorectal cancer with KRAS mutations, a subset historically associated with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. In preclinical models, including rodent studies, researchers intend to assess the efficacy of PMC79 and gather pharmacokinetic data that inform dosing strategies and administration schedules. These data points are essential for planning subsequent clinical development and for optimizing therapeutic windows in patients.
PMC79 and the colorectal cancer program
The colorectal cancer program represents a critical initial focus for R-nuucell. KRAS mutations drive signaling pathways that promote tumor growth and resistance to many standard therapies. By evaluating PMC79 in mouse models that harbor this mutation, the team hopes to demonstrate meaningful anti-tumor activity and understand how the compound behaves inside living organisms. Valente notes that the pharmacokinetic component — how long the drug stays in the body and how it is excreted — will help define dosing intervals and treatment regimens, which are pivotal steps toward safe and effective clinical use.
Beyond colorectal cancer: expanding to pancreatic and lung cancer variants
While the current focus is colorectal cancer with KRAS mutations, R-nuucell’s broader research portfolio includes therapies under investigation for pancreatic cancer and certain variants of lung cancer. This diversification aligns with EP PerMed’s aim of supporting versatile tools that can adapt to multiple clinical contexts. Success in one cancer type can bolster a broader platform that supports personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual tumor biology and patient needs.
Impact and implications for personalized cancer therapy
R-nuucell’s engagement with EP PerMed signals a meaningful step toward therapies designed to match the specific genetic and molecular features of a patient’s cancer. If the validation studies affirm efficacy and favorable pharmacokinetics, the startup could contribute important data toward precision medicine approaches that optimize outcomes while considering safety and dosing in a real-world setting. The collaboration with VectorB2B and the Tec Labs incubator provides a strong infrastructure to translate early-stage discoveries into practical, clinically relevant insights.
Looking ahead: a pathway from lab to clinic
The EP PerMed project offers not only funding but also a structured platform to accelerate the rigorous validation required for next-generation cancer therapies. For a Portuguese startup, the experience can attract further investment, foster cross-border collaborations, and strengthen patient-focused research that prioritizes data-driven, personalized care. While the six-month program marks a milestone, it also lays the groundwork for a longer journey toward therapies that address the real-world needs of people affected by aggressive cancers.
