CancerFree Biotech creates 3D tumor organoids from 20 mL of blood, using the organoids to test cancer therapeutics. Using our platform, which is called Ex Vivo Avatar (EVA), we culture the circulating tumor cells from patient blood samples to produce organoids that reflect each patient’s unique tumor composition. Our technology is used in precision medicine to produce patient treatment plans and in drug development research to test drug efficacy. As a precision medicine tool, we help doctors and patients create optimal treatment plans, limiting the risk of trying ineffective drugs. As a drug development tool, we accurately predict a developing drug’s clinical response, guiding pharmaceutical companies in making time- and cost-saving decisions.
To date, we have completed over 1500 patient cases across over 100 different solid tumor types. In Taiwan, we have partnerships with over 60 medical institutions across the country and 2 distributors. We are now looking to expanding beyond Taiwan, with Japan as a key target. As a result, we’ve entered and won several Japanese startup competitions, including first place at Kozarocks 2024 and finalist at SusHi Tech 2024. These prizes, which include office space and research institute introductions, will support our expansion into Japan.
CancerFree has developed a system that cultivates and analyzes organoids derived from circulating tumor cells in the blood.Called the Circulating Tumor Cell-Derived Organoid (CDO) culture system, it develops a personalized patient cancer profile called an “avatar” that can simulate the body’s response to drugs.
CancerFree’s system can successfully grow cancer cells in approximately 90% of the more than 100 cancer types. The technology has been tested successfully in over 900 cases, said Dr. Chin, the dean of Taiwan Medical University Hospital.
The system can furthermore be matched to over 100 types of generic drugs, making it easier for physicians to find the appropriate drug to match the patient’s tumor profile, he added. This was achieved with software developed by CancerFree that automates drug selection.