IMU Biosciences Joins Ground-breaking UK Research Consortium to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy
London, UK, 7 October 2024 – In a significant advancement for cancer treatment, IMU Biosciences, a pioneering biotechnology company specializing in systems-level immune profiling through artificial intelligence (AI), has announced its participation in the MANIFEST consortium. This innovative UK-wide initiative aims to deepen the understanding of patient responses to cancer immunotherapies, ultimately making these treatments safer and more effective.
The MANIFEST Consortium: A Collaborative Effort
The MANIFEST consortium is a collaborative effort led by the prestigious Francis Crick Institute and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. With a robust funding package of £9 million from the UK government’s Medical Research Council and Office for Life Sciences, complemented by an additional £12.9 million from industry partners, this four-year project is set to revolutionize the landscape of cancer immunotherapy.
The consortium comprises 15 academic institutions, including the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, alongside six NHS Trusts and 11 industry collaborators, including IMU Biosciences. This diverse coalition underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling the complexities of cancer treatment.
Understanding Immunotherapy: The Need for Research
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach in cancer treatment, harnessing the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. However, the variability in patient responses and the occurrence of immune-related adverse events pose significant challenges. The MANIFEST project aims to address these issues by evaluating the barriers to immunotherapy success and developing predictive biomarkers that can indicate patient responses, resistance, and potential side effects.
IMU Biosciences will play a pivotal role in this research by analyzing thousands of blood samples from patients undergoing immunotherapy. The company’s advanced technology platform, which utilizes high-resolution spectral cytometry combined with AI-powered analytics, allows for the identification and analysis of over 2,000 immune cell subsets. This capability is crucial for developing novel systems-level immune signatures that can provide insights into individual patient responses to treatment.
Focus on Key Cancer Types
The initial phase of the research will concentrate on four major cancer types: melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. The consortium aims to involve approximately 6,000 patients across the UK, gathering extensive data to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy. The findings are expected to pave the way for new treatment modalities, including vaccines and cell therapies, enhancing the overall effectiveness of cancer care.
IMU Biosciences: A Leader in Precision Medicine
Adam Laing, President and Chief Scientific Officer of IMU Biosciences, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “The IMU team is thrilled to contribute our cutting-edge, AI-driven immune profiling platform to this groundbreaking UK consortium. Our goal is to deepen the understanding of the immune system’s role in cancer therapy and response, ultimately improving clinical outcomes for patients.”
IMU Biosciences has established itself as a leader in precision medicine, leveraging over a decade of research at King’s College London and the Francis Crick Institute. The company’s proprietary platform technologies generate vast amounts of immune data, translating it into actionable insights that can drive the development of precision medicines across various diseases.
A Vision for the Future
The MANIFEST consortium represents a significant step forward in cancer research, bringing together top-tier academic institutions, NHS Trusts, and industry leaders to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine. By focusing on the intricacies of the immune response to cancer therapies, the consortium aims to enhance treatment efficacy and patient safety.
As the project unfolds, the collaboration between IMU Biosciences and its partners will not only advance scientific understanding but also hold the potential to transform the lives of countless patients battling cancer. The commitment to innovation in precision medicine is a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing complex health challenges.
For more information about IMU Biosciences and its groundbreaking work in immune profiling and precision medicine, visit IMU Biosciences.
Contacts:
- Adam Laing, CSO and Co-founder, IMU Biosciences
Email: media@imubiosciences.com - ICR Consilium
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700
Email: IMUBiosciences@consilium-comms.com
About IMU Biosciences:
IMU Biosciences is dedicated to transforming cancer treatment through advanced immune profiling and AI analytics. By establishing partnerships with leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies, IMU aims to optimize disease diagnosis and improve patient outcomes. Follow IMU Biosciences on LinkedIn for the latest updates.