Independent research institute BioMed X has completed its oncology research project in partnership with Merck, the data from which has been acquired by Merck for further development, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches in precision oncology.

Launched in August 2022, the collaboration aimed to unravel the mechanisms behind the formation, propagation, and impact of ecDNA in cancer cells using single-cell screening and spatial technologies. The project was led by Dr. Alexandros Drainas, winner of the BioMed X Innovation Boot Camp, and mentored by Dr. Sebastian M. Waszak, Assistant Professor at EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland. Industry guidance was provided by Dr. Balca Mardin, Head of Target Discovery & Research at Merck.

The team’s research identified genes that may reduce ecDNA abundance in cancer cells. Additionally, the team developed advanced spatial technologies to explore how ecDNA localization affects cancer cell adaptability. These findings may offer promising strategies for mitigating cancer heterogeneity and reducing the mechanisms driving therapeutic resistance, potentially improving the efficacy of existing treatments.

Dr. Thomas Rückle, Senior Vice President of Research at the BioMed X Institute, said: “The knowledge gained from this project not only advances cancer research but also showcases the potential of ecDNA-targeted therapies. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Merck and our joint journey towards a deeper understanding of complex life-threatening diseases.”