For just the second time in history, OvaCure gathered more than 25 researchers for the OvaCure Innovation Challenge, held in Copenhagen from the 19th – 19. – 20. September. The 36-hour long sprint event had one overall goal – namely to create innovative research projects targeting ovarian cancer.
It is rare that the world’s leading researchers have time to immerse themselves uninterrupted by emails, meetings and phone calls, which is one of the reasons why the OvaCure Innovation Challenge works so well. The researchers are entirely focused on fulfilling their objective, which is to present a realistic research project to the jury, scientific board and invited guests during the big award show on day two. The researchers have different backgrounds and can offer everything from knowledge of Big data analytics to surgical procedures and cellular biology. These different backgrounds and approaches are precisely what is essential for OvaCure. In this way, ovarian cancer can be illuminated from many different angles – and the possibility of finding effective treatment options will increase.
OVACATCH – Ovarian Cancer Targeted Early Detection for Faster Diagnosis at a Curable Stage
The objective of this project is to reduce the time it takes to diagnose and initiate treatment for ovarian cancer in Danish women, thereby ensuring detection at an early stage. In addition, the project will develop an improved screening strategy for women who have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
GIANTS – Targeting Giants in Ovarian Cancer
Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells (PGCC) are found in biopsies from “high grade” ovarian cancer, and the number of these cells increases after treatment with chemotherapy. This project aims to develop a targeted treatment against PGCC cells in order to counteract the development of resistance, and thereby achieve an improved treatment response in women with ovarian cancer.
The unconventional form of the conference allows the OvaCure Innovation Challenge to break down silos and compel collaboration. To put it another way, participants are allowed to brainstorm, converse, exchange knowledge, and generate ideas to form working groups, which will ultimately lead to concrete research projects. None of the participants have prepared anything in advance and therefore do not have their own projects with them. Individuals instead offer their skills, and in this way, holistic projects are created.
The event produced four unique and individual projects. The projects were presented to a panel of judges in the big award final, whereafter two of the projects were then awarded funding. Despite there being only two projects selected, all of the projects were incredibly strong and innovative, which is why OvaCure will continue to follow all of the projects closely and help as much as possible with fundraising and support. The more research projects we initiate in ovarian cancer, the more knowledge we gain and the greater the likelihood of improving treatment options and prognoses.
Patients, relatives and other stakeholders were seated in the audience during the award final, and this meant that afterwards there was an opportunity for good conversations among those present. Researchers often find it rewarding to meet patients at eye level and get their opinions, just as hearing about the latest research can be a positive experience for patients.
The OvaCure Innovation Challenge has been an amazing event. It gave me the opportunity to meet great clinicians and scientists from all over the world, each with a specific and unique area of expertise. I never thought to be able to develop a new project in just a short period of time (36 hours!) in collaboration with outstanding colleagues from different countries. As a clinician scientist working in ovarian cancer, I want to say that we need more of these initiatives to create strong and productive collaborations.
Ilaria Colombo
Dr., Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI)
