Advancing oncology drug discovery: a unique ecosystem for innovation
The University of Antwerp and the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) have built a state-of-the-art drugdiscovery ecosystem, integrating expertise in patient-derived tumor organoids, automation, AI-powered image analysis, and AI drug development. This ecosystem is further strengthened by its spin-offs Orbits Oncology and Sightera Biosciences, along with the DrugVision.AI organoid screening platform. Together, they create a unique platform for high-throughput, AI-driven drug discovery and precision medicine.
Our capabilities
1. Organoid Biobank & high-throughput drug screening platform DrugVision.AI
- A patient-derived tumor organoid biobank, enabling clinically relevant preclinical models
- Automated high-throughput screening (HTS) pipeline utilizing robotics for large-scale drugtesting
- Advanced live-cell imaging workflows capturing drug responses in real time
2. Orbits Oncology (UAntwerp and UZA spin-off): AI-powered image & data analysis
- Proprietary label-free image analysis technology, trained on thousands of organoid images
- AI-driven drug response metrics that correlate strongly with clinical outcomes
- Applications for clinical drug response prediction, enabling more precise and effectivepersonalized treatment strategies
- The only software covering the full organoid screening pipeline, from image acquisition tobiologically relevant insights
3. Sightera Biosciences (UAntwerp and UZA spin-off): AI-driven drug development & therapy potentiation
- AI-powered, structure-driven drug development engine using proprietary HT organoid drugscreening data and AI drug development pipelines
- Focus on identifying and optimising novel oncology and regenerative therapeutics
- Expertise in co-developing therapy potentiators and outlicensing new drug candidates
Collaboration opportunities
- Joint drug screening projects using patient-derived tumor organoids as collaborator or as service through DrugVision.AI
- Applications of Orbits Oncology for clinical drug response prediction, advancing personalised medicine
- AI-powered drug development collaborations with Sightera Biosciences, focusing on therapy potentiation (synergy) and novel oncology or regenerative therapeutics for co-development or out-licensing of in-house assets
About the oncology research platform
The Center for Oncological Research (CORE) is a joint oncology research platform of the University of Antwerp, with multiple expertises in the field of fundamental, translational and clinical cancer research. The mission of CORE is to meet the needs of cancer patients by developing the personalised therapies of tomorrow.
Prof. Christophe Deben from the Center for Oncological Research (CORE) was nominated for the AHA!-awards 2025 in the Promising category. For this occasion, a video was recorded in which he explains the unique ecosystem his team has built around oncology drug discovery:
Advancing oncology drug discovery
More information
University of Antwerp
Valorisation Office
Middelheimlaan 1
2020 Antwerpen