From UMCG Lab to Commercial Reality
iPsomics focuses on a powerful combination of high-impact technologies: disease modeling using human iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) and single-cell whole genome sequencing. The team aims to open up new frontiers in drug development and personalized cancer treatment. “We want both academic and commercial partners to benefit from this unique combination,” says Peter Ketelaar, CEO of iPsomics.
The strength of iPsomics lies in integrating single cell genomics and transcriptomics with stem cell and organoid technology to build disease models at the cellular level. This enables much more precise investigation of complex diseases like cancer. “What’s unique about our approach is that we can quantify the DNA of individual cells,” says Prof. Dr. Ir. Floris Foijer of UMCG’s ERIBA research institute, co-founder and CSO of iPsomics. “This gives us a far more detailed understanding of what’s happening inside a tumor.”
The technology opens the door to faster and more personalized drug development.
iPsomics is a collaboration between UMCG (ERIBA and Genetics), LIFE Cooperative, GenomeScan, and Pivot Park.
Laying a Strong Foundation
The company is now officially established and has taken its first steps toward becoming a solid organization. “We’ve built a strong foundation for our operations and business development,” says Peter Ketelaar. “We have solid management in place, governance is established, and the first projects are already underway.”
A key milestone in recent months was the so-called “Grill Session” held in April. During this session, iPsomics’ strategy was critically reviewed by six scientific experts and six seasoned entrepreneurs. “That session really helped us sharpen our focus. You can’t do everything, so making clear choices is essential,” says Floris Foijer.
Between a Cruise Ship and a Speedboat
Setting up a commercial company within an academic institution like UMCG proved to be no small feat. “These are two very different worlds: a cruise ship versus a speedboat,” says Peter Ketelaar with a smile. “But with lots of discussion, patience, and mutual understanding, we’ve managed to align them well.”
Strategically, the team also faced fundamental decisions. “The challenge lies in choosing a clear direction. We made a conscious effort to do that in collaboration with experts from both inside and outside our organization.”
Next Steps
Clear priorities are set for the coming months. “We’re translating our refined strategy into scientific priorities and commercial actions,” says Floris Foijer. “That will determine which research takes precedence and which product-market combinations we’ll focus on most.” The team is also working on aligning compliance processes, evaluating the investment plan, and further strengthening the business model.
Getting Everyone on the Same Page
The experiences iPsomics has gained over the past year offer valuable insights for other PharmaNL projects and future applicants. The team emphasizes the importance of clearly defining the project from the start, in line with PharmaNL’s objectives. They also stress the need for sufficient preparation time for the grant application. “Plan for about a year for writing, submission, and approval,” says Peter Ketelaar. “And make sure you’ve got a strong mix of scientific, business, and grant-writing expertise from the beginning.”
Floris Foijer also highlights the importance of clear collaboration and alignment. “Throughout the process, it’s vital to ensure everyone is on the same page. Agreement on goals and strategy prevents delays and misunderstandings.” A well-thought-out R&D plan, business plan, and budget are key, as is clear ownership. “Strong management and experienced governance really make the difference.”
Setting an Example Within and Beyond UMCG
“With iPsomics, we’ve built something that truly inspires others,” says Peter Ketelaar. Together with Floris Foijer, he looks back proudly on their presentation at the Innovation4Health conference in Rotterdam, where they received a lot of positive feedback.
But the impact of the company goes beyond visibility. iPsomics is increasingly being approached by other consortia and PharmaNL applicants for advice, and is often cited as a model project. “At UMCG, we’ve noticed there’s a lot of interest in what we’re doing,” adds Foijer. “We’re seen as a tangible and successful example of how academic innovation can be translated into a high-impact enterprise.”
For more info, please go to the website of iPsomics.
Text: PharmaNL
Picture: iPsomics, photographer Casper Maas.
News June 19, 2025 