On May 9, 2026, Adem Karademir and Peter-Jan Simons will set off by bike from Den Bosch to Turkey. Through their journey across Europe, they aim to raise funds for cancer research at Oncode Institute. Supporting research that explores new ways to make cancer treatments more effective and better tolerated by patients, for example by studying how therapies can be timed to the body’s natural biological rhythms to improve outcomes and reduce side effects.

Scientists have uncovered more than 1,700 new proteins that could have implications for human diseases, including cancer. Mostly very small, these proteins were found in what’s called the ‘dark proteome’, which covers gene products from previously overlooked sections of DNA. These proteins have unusual properties, motivating scientists to coin a new concept, peptideins, to help understand their potentially unique biology. Their findings are being shared with scientists worldwide in an open-source format to stimulate further research.

A licensing agreement brings Sturgeon technology closer to clinical use, supporting rapid tumor classification and decision-making during surgery.

A new technology developed by researchers at Leiden University and Oncode Institute could help tackle one of the biggest challenges in cancer drug discovery: targeting proteins that have long remained out of reach for existing therapies.

Researchers from Oncode Institute have been awarded funding in the ZonMw Open Competition, highlighting collaborative efforts in colorectal cancer and immunotherapy research.

A study published in Nature shows that cellular states linked to metastasis already arise as soon as invasive colon cancers are formed, but are surprisingly not enough to cause spread by themselves. The findings may help to improve metastatic risk assessment and prevent unnecessary surgeries.

The Netherlands has long been at the global forefront of oncology research. Yet significant gains can still be made in translating scientific knowledge into clinical practice. However, there is another category of research that is equally urgent: new insights that contribute to the sustainability of healthcare, but do not offer a commercial business model.

Working between IP and business development, Eline supports researchers in protecting and developing their ideas.

When a drug screen in organoids pointed us towards a new drug combination against a subtype of colorectal cancer, we wanted to test it in patients. The journey from lab to clinic took ten years, three disciplines, and a risk-tolerant funding model. It led us to an unexpected destination.

Oncode Institute today announces the launch of the Oncology Bridge Fund II (OBF II), in collaboration with Ligase BioPartners, building on their established partnership in the first Oncology Bridge Fund (OBF I). This fund signals a next step, in scaling up Oncode Institute’s valorisation efforts, accelerating  translation of breakthrough cancer research into societal, clinical and patient impact. 

Leadership transition at Oncode Accelerator strengthens the alignment with Oncode Institute as Bertholt Leeftink takes on the role of CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors.

On 26 March, Oncode Institute will take part in a live BiotechNews interview during Innovation for Health in Utrecht. The discussion will bring together Bertholt Leeftink and Shobhit Dhawan to reflect on how strong oncology research can translate into real impact for patients.

The ILLUMINE team will explore a largely unseen layer of cancer biology. Their work aims to understand how these hidden proteins appear and how they might help reveal new treatment possibilities.

Four Oncode Investigators have been awarded highly competitive Cancer Grand Challenges grants. This exceptional international recognition highlights the strength of Dutch cancer research and unlocks substantial new funding to accelerate fundamental discoveries toward tangible impact for patients.

Meet Tessy and see how she helps researchers explore where their discoveries can lead.