VitroScan

VitroScan, a Dutch biotechnology firm established in 2016, is positioned at the Leiden Bio Science Park to address critical needs in oncology. The company was co-founded by Pieter Geelen, known for his role in founding TomTom, and is led by CEO Willemijn Vader. Vader brings over 15 years of experience in the oncology sector, including a PhD in immunology and a 13-year tenure at Sanofi, to steer VitroScan's mission. Her entrepreneurial drive is focused on translating scientific developments into practical solutions that enhance patient quality of life.

The company's core business revolves around providing predictive ex vivo 3D tumor testing services. These services are designed for two primary client segments: pharmaceutical companies and clinical oncologists. For its biopharma clients, VitroScan offers tailored services to de-risk and streamline drug development. This involves near-clinical testing of novel compounds like ADCs, immunotherapies, and cell therapies on patient-derived tumor tissue, allowing for better target indication selection and improved patient stratification for clinical trials. For clinicians, the technology aims to guide treatment decisions by predicting a patient's response to various cancer drugs before administration. This helps in selecting the most effective treatment, thereby avoiding the costs and negative side effects of ineffectual therapies.

VitroScan's proprietary technology platform is a key differentiator. It utilizes fresh patient tumor tissue to create 3D micro-tumors that preserve the native tumor microenvironment (TME). These are then exposed to a range of therapies. The platform combines automated 3D cell culture with high-content imaging and AI-powered data analysis to deliver reproducible results within two weeks. A notable application of this is the ChemoPredict™ service, initially focused on ovarian cancer, which has demonstrated an 87% accuracy in predicting patient response to platinum-based chemotherapy. The company is actively expanding its platform's application to other solid tumors, including lung, bladder, prostate, and breast cancer, through ongoing clinical trials and collaborations with leading medical centers like LUMC and Radboudumc.

Financially, VitroScan has secured funding through a combination of angel investments, venture capital, and substantial grants. A significant seed round in April 2019 raised €800,000, led by Libertatis Ergo Holding B.V. and with participation from co-founder Pieter Geelen. More recently, in late 2024, the company was awarded €1.9 million from the Biotech Booster program to advance its ChemoPredict™ service for ovarian cancer, alongside other grants to support market access and research collaborations.

Keywords: predictive oncology, 3D tumor testing, ex vivo diagnostics, cancer treatment prediction, personalized medicine, tumor microenvironment, chemotherapy response, patient stratification, drug development support, high-content imaging, biopharma services, ovarian cancer diagnostics, Leiden Bio Science Park, Willemijn Vader, Pieter Geelen, ChemoPredict, functional precision medicine, oncology diagnostics, tumor sensitivity assay, clinical trial services, immuno-oncology testing, cancer biomarkers