Cancer research is seeing significant acceleration thanks to the combination of two cutting-edge technologies: CRISPR, a genetic editing tool, and microfluidics, which models biological processes on a microscopic scale. Okomera, a French biotech startup founded in 2020, is leveraging this synergy to develop new approaches for cancer therapy discovery.
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a technology that enables precise genetic modifications in living cells. In oncology, it offers the possibility to target specific genes involved in tumor development, thus facilitating the identification of new therapeutic targets. However, for these discoveries to have a clinical impact, it is crucial to test these targets in an environment that faithfully reflects the complexity of human tumors.
This is where microfluidics comes in, a technology that allows the creation of miniature tumor models on a chip, called tumoroids, which mimic real clinical conditions. Okomera uses this approach to recreate tumor microenvironments in the lab from patient biopsies, enabling the observation of tumoroids’ reactions to various potential therapies.
The combination of these two technologies represents a major breakthrough. By integrating CRISPR into tumoroid testing, Okomera is able to conduct high-throughput therapeutic screenings, while maintaining the precision needed to detect the complex genetic interactions responsible for tumor development and resistance. This approach enables the rapid testing of innovative treatments, while identifying the therapies most suited to the genetic specificities of each tumor.
The collaboration with the Paoli-Calmettes Institute (IPC) and the Marseille Cancer Research Center (CRCM) further strengthens this system. By working with patient-derived organoids (PDOs), Okomera ensures that its models are not only clinically relevant but also reproducible, which is essential for standardizing the drug discovery process.
In terms of financing, Okomera has benefited from strong support since its inception. Founded in 2020 within the Institut Pasteur and École Polytechnique by Raphaël Tomasi and Prof. Charles Baroud, the startup quickly positioned itself as a key player in cancer research. The recent €1.5 million grant obtained from Bpifrance in the form of a subsidy and recoverable advance is a key step in its development. This funding will accelerate the standardization of the CRISPR screening platform and support strategic collaborations with world-renowned research institutes. With this backing, Okomera continues to strengthen its presence in France and the United States, while pursuing its ambition to transform the precision medicine landscape in oncology.
The expected outcomes of this alliance between CRISPR and microfluidics go beyond the simple identification of new therapeutic targets. They also aim to speed up the drug development process by providing more reliable and actionable data in a shorter time frame. Ultimately, this technology could redefine the standards of precision medicine in oncology, providing clinicians with tools to tailor treatments to the genetic characteristics of each patient.
