Tech start-up introduces new features to its Cancer Models Platform

Tech start-up based in Cambridge, Repositive, has introduced new features to its Cancer Models Platform, in response to feedback from the growing user base, which it will present during the Tumor Models Conference in Boston, Massachusetts between 16–18 July.

The start-up’s PDX model sharing platform was initially created last year (2017) and was extended to become the broader Cancer Models Platform earlier this year (2018). The platform provides oncology researchers with a holistic, searchable, comparable view of existing cancer models, whilst providing contract research organisations (CROs) with a tool to market, manage and analyse their models.

“We have responded to feedback from early adopters, expanding the platform to incorporate a wider range of translational cancer models and related services, but also providing standardised metadata and molecular characteristics,” explained Chris Taylor, product manager at Repositive. “This enables us to facilitate enhanced search and effective comparison of all available models — something which is not possible when researchers try to compare model data from other CROs using different metadata parameters.

“This challenge is one that academics have begun to resolve for publicly available data and one that we, at Repositive, have taken on in order to create a consensus for industry, too. This has the potential to revolutionise the process of discovering and accessing the best cancer models for research projects and, as our ambition is to enable better and faster discovery of treatments and cures through technological innovation, we were only too ready to take on this challenge.”

“Our Cancer Models Platform eliminates one of the greatest barriers researchers face in discovering the best cancer models to make progress in drug discovery,” stated Fiona Nielsen, founder and CEO of Repositive. “We are continually developing the platform based on feedback from our partners and we look forward to demonstrating its potential to visitors at the Tumor Models Conference in Boston, whilst gathering further information to help us to continue developing its usability.

“During our time in the US, we are also hosting a networking eventto bring together oncology researchers from across academia, biopharma and biotech, to discuss Model selection for immuno-oncology and combination therapies. All who have an interest in immuno-oncology and translational research are welcome to join us and we hope to see as many current and new contacts as possible in Boston.”