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immuno-oncology
therapies
We are a specialty contract research organization offering preclinical and translational research services for the development of novel anti-cancer immunotherapies.
Based in France, we have assisted international biotech and pharma companies, as well as comprehensive cancer centers for the past 10 years.
Our expertise in cancer immunotherapies
Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) usually resist immune-checkpoint blockade because their micro-environment is both poorly immunogenic and actively immunosuppressive. To convert these “cold” into “hotter,” immune-responsive tumors, the phase II REGOMMUNE trial —led by Prof. Antoine Italiano at Institut Bergonié and Gustave Roussy—combined the multi-kinase anti-angiogenic agent regorafenib with the anti-PD-L1 antibody avelumab.
Between 2019 and 2021, 50 patients with advanced STS lacking mature tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) were enrolled to test whether this strategy could boost immune-cell infiltration and improve anti-tumour activity.
Associated to this study through the RHU CONDOR, Explicyte profiled paired plasma samples (baseline → Cycle 2 Day 1) from 32 STS patients receiving regorafenib + avelumab with the Olink Explore HT panel (5300 proteins):
Explicyte ran multiplex immunofluorescence on paired biopsies from seven STS patients (pre- vs. Cycle 2 Day 1), corroborating the plasma data but also exposing barriers to efficacy:
Read the full paper
Between 2019 and 2021, 50 patients with advanced STS lacking mature tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) were enrolled to test whether this strategy could boost immune-cell infiltration and improve anti-tumour activity.
Key findings published in Signal Transduction & Targeted Therapy
Modest efficacy, manageable safety
- Efficacy: Of the 43 TLS-negative patients who were assessable, the objective response rate was 11.4 % (all partial responses), whereas 50 % progressed on treatment. Median progression-free survival was 1.8 months.
- Safety: Forty-nine patients received at least one dose of either regorafenib or avelumab and were included in the safety analysis. Toxicities were generally low-grade and controllable; importantly, no treatment-related deaths occurred, indicating that the combination is well tolerated.
Plasma proteomics: stronger immune signals but red flags for checkpoint resistance
Associated to this study through the RHU CONDOR, Explicyte profiled paired plasma samples (baseline → Cycle 2 Day 1) from 32 STS patients receiving regorafenib + avelumab with the Olink Explore HT panel (5300 proteins):
- Immune-cell influx: Gene-ontology analysis of up-regulated proteins showed marked enrichment of CD8⁺ T-cell and B-cell signatures.
- Soluble PD-L1 surge: Soluble PD-L1 (CD274) —a known negative predictor of response to PD-(L)1 blockade—was the most strongly up-regulated protein.
- Tryptophan depletion: complementary metabolomics showed a pronounced drop in circulating L-tryptophan, a metabolic hallmark of immune activation.
Digital pathology: deeper—yet still not optimal—immune engagement
Explicyte ran multiplex immunofluorescence on paired biopsies from seven STS patients (pre- vs. Cycle 2 Day 1), corroborating the plasma data but also exposing barriers to efficacy:
- More lymphocytes: Intratumoral CD8⁺ T-cell and CD20⁺ B-cell densities rose in respectively 6 and 4 patients, yet progressive disease occurred in patients with the highest increases in CD8+ T and B cell density, showing that infiltration alone is insufficient to trigger clinical benefit.
- No TLS formation: Lymphocytes failed to organise into productive immune niches.
- Immunosuppressive myeloid niche: The density of M2-polarised macrophages increased, likely damping cytotoxic activity.
- Adaptive PD-1 up-shift: Post-treatment T cells displayed higher PD-1 expression, suggesting re-engagement of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and a mechanism of resistance to avelumab.
Read the full paper
- Over the past two years, Cure51 has collected tumor samples from 1000 exceptional cancer survivors in collaboration with 100+ leading cancer centers worldwide.
- A first batch of tumor samples, processed and qualified at Institut Gustave Roussy in Paris, is being transferred in June 2025 to Explicyte—a Bordeaux-based CRO dedicated to precision oncology with unique capacities in single-cell spatial transcriptomics in Europe
PARIS, FRANCE, 26 June, 2025 - French TechBio startup company Cure51 set to unlock the biological mechanisms from cancer survivors, and precision oncology CRO Explicyte announced today a strategic partnership to analyze tumor samples from exceptional cancer survivors using single-cell spatial transcriptomic technologies. The resulting gene expression maps, generated at single-cell resolution, will be analyzed by Cure51’s data science team to uncover the molecular drivers of long-term survival and identify new therapeutic strategies.
Launched in November 2023, the Cure51’s Rosalind study seeks to decode the biological mechanisms of super responders—patients who defy the odds by surviving highly aggressive cancers—in collaboration with leading cancer centers around the world. The study targets three aggressive cancer types, Small Cell Lung Cancer (led by Charité, Berlin, Germany), Glioblastoma (led by Leon Berard, Lyon, France), and Metastatic pancreatic cancer (led by Gustave Roussy, Paris, France).
Cure51 has built a unique global network, partnering with 100 cancer centers to collect tumor samples and clinical data from over 1.000 cancer patients from 40 countries. The company’s mission is to create an unparalleled multi-omics database to drive the development of novel cancer therapies.
Leveraging Explicyte´s expertise in precision oncology and capitalizing on their deep experience of 10x genomics spatial tools and technology, Cure51 intends to accelerate its discovery process by better understanding the biology of Exceptional Survivors.
"At Cure51, we are reverse engineering the cure for cancer. By leveraging technology, data and our dedicated team of computational biologists, we aim to uncover the hidden biology of miraculous survivors, to develop therapies that could one day make cancer a manageable disease for all, “ said Cure51 co-Founders Nicolas Wolikow and Simon Istolainen. “ In just 18 months, our team forged international partnerships to secure access to tumor samples and clinical data from Cancer Outliers. To advance our data generation pipeline, we were looking for an EU-based partner with the scientific rigor and technical capabilities to process these valuable samples efficiently and reproducibly. Explicyte stood out for their strong scientific track record and cutting-edge technological expertise.”
"Over the past five years, first-generation spatial transcriptomics technologies have driven major advances in our understanding of the determinants of immunotherapy response, leading to over 30 co-authored publications with our academic and industry partners. In 2024, we took a significant step forward by establishing a unique single-cell spatial transcriptomics platform in Europe, built on 10x Genomics technologies. Cure51’s outlier-focused cohort is truly one of a kind. We are confident that this collaboration will generate transformative insights in the fight against cancer, and are excited to see Cure51 roll out."
— Alban Bessède, CEO, Explicyte
Earlier this year, Cure51 announced a major partnership with the Hopitaux de Paris (AP-HP), a network of 39 hospitals across France. In March 2024, the company raised €15 million in Seed funding led by Sofinnova Partners, Hitachi Ventures and LifeX. Cure51 is named after the British biochemist Rosalind Franklin, one of the greatest pioneers in medical research. Franklin and her doctoral student Ray Gosling captured the so-called ‘Photo 51’, which enabled the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA in 1953. The company’s motto is Cancer Delenda Est (Cancer is defeated).
About Cure51
Cure51 is a French techbio company founded by Nicolas Wolikow and Simon Istolainen alongside seasoned entrepreneurs and five world-renowned oncology centres: Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus (IGR, Paris - France), Leon Bérard Center (CLB, Lyon - France), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Germany), and Vall d'Hebron (VHIO, Barcelona, Spain). The collaboration between the private and public sectors is at the core of the Cure51 project, led by a passionate team with expertise in computing, medicine, and biology, and partnered with principal investigators across its network of over 50 leading oncology centres worldwide.
Cure51's exclusive data collection system, based on partnerships, enables the creation of a unique multimodal and multiomics database of Outliers. Using its discovery platform powered by computational modeling, Cure51 aims to understand the biological mechanisms responsible for this exceptional survival by identifying and validating targets that can act on these interactions, leading to first-in-class treatments. This research involves the use of all relevant models (in silico, in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo) and the integration of existing literature and available databases, along with the engagement of Cure51's KOL community. Ultimately, drug design will be subject to collaboration contracts with the industry.
For further information, please visit www.cure51.com
About Explicyte
Explicyte is a preclinical and translational contract research organization specializing in precision oncology. Founded in 2015 by immunologist Dr. Alban Bessède, the company has supported more than 100 biotech and pharmaceutical partners over the past decade in the discovery and development of novel therapies for solid tumors. Based at the Institut Bergonié Comprehensive Cancer Center in Bordeaux, Explicyte brings together a multidisciplinary team of 25 scientists, including cell biologists, digital pathologists, medical oncologists, and data scientists. In the past five years, Explicyte has co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications on the molecular mechanisms underlying responses to cancer immunotherapies.
For more information, visit www.explicyte.com
Press contacts
Cure51 – Clara Armand-Delille clara@thirdeyemedia.press
Explicyte – Pierre-Emmanuel GAULTIER - pe.gaultier@explicyte.com - +33 6 450 600 49
Download press kit (photos, bios, etc...)
Reference: TM0625
Contract type: Full-time position, permanent contract
Location: Bordeaux, France
Explicyte is a preclinical and translational contract research organization specialized in oncology & immunology. Our goal is to assist academics, biotechs and pharmas in the discovery of novel targets and for the development of novel cancer immunotherapies.
With a team of 25, we’re a human-sized company, which brings under the same roof cell biologists, immunologists, in vivo scientists, medical oncologists and bioinformaticians. Focused on sponsors’ projects, our activity also involves in-house R&D and external collaborations, which led to the publication of 30+ papers in high-impact-factor journals over the last 5 years.
Based in Bordeaux, our lab is located at the Bergonié Comprehensive Cancer Center, where we work in close contact with medical oncology teams. We believe Explicyte is a place to learn, grow, and have impact in the fight against cancer.
More about us
Within the in vitro team, you will support the in vitro Study Managers in the preparation and implementation of their experiments. You will carry out technical tasks to advance sponsored and internal R&D projects, under the supervision of Study Managers. Also, in your role, you will participate to general lab operations under the management of the lab platform Manager.
You will thus be responsible for the technical performance of in vitro experiments, as well as the proper functioning of the lab. You will operate in accordance with the experimental requirements and timelines.
You will interact with all the members of the team. You will report to the executive team.
What you will find at Explicyte
Contract type: Full-time position, permanent contract
Location: Bordeaux, France
You have experience with cell culture and are passionate about the interplay between immune and tumor cells? You are proficient in cell culture protocols, live cell imaging, flow cytometry and multiparametric platforms for in vitro analyses? Keep reading and apply!
About Explicyte
Explicyte is a preclinical and translational contract research organization specialized in oncology & immunology. Our goal is to assist academics, biotechs and pharmas in the discovery of novel targets and for the development of novel cancer immunotherapies.
With a team of 25, we’re a human-sized company, which brings under the same roof cell biologists, immunologists, in vivo scientists, medical oncologists and bioinformaticians. Focused on sponsors’ projects, our activity also involves in-house R&D and external collaborations, which led to the publication of 30+ papers in high-impact-factor journals over the last 5 years.
Based in Bordeaux, our lab is located at the Bergonié Comprehensive Cancer Center, where we work in close contact with medical oncology teams. We believe Explicyte is a place to learn, grow, and have impact in the fight against cancer.
More about us
Your position
Within the in vitro team, you will support the in vitro Study Managers in the preparation and implementation of their experiments. You will carry out technical tasks to advance sponsored and internal R&D projects, under the supervision of Study Managers. Also, in your role, you will participate to general lab operations under the management of the lab platform Manager.
You will thus be responsible for the technical performance of in vitro experiments, as well as the proper functioning of the lab. You will operate in accordance with the experimental requirements and timelines.
You will interact with all the members of the team. You will report to the executive team.
What you will find at Explicyte
Your skills & traits
- Bachelor or graduate "Bac+2" or "Bac+3" or equivalent in cell biology, oncology, immuno-oncology, biotechnology, or related fields
- Expertise in 2D cell culture protocols: culture of cancer and immune cells (primary and cell lines)
- Mastery of 3D cultures of tumor models is highly recommended
- Biological/culture sample preparation: cell freezing/thawing, cell pellets, supernatant collection, etc
- Mastery of conventional cell analysis & biochemical platforms such as flow cytometry, HTRF, ELISA, spectrophotometry
- Proficiency in IT tools (Microsoft Office, data table software) for data compilation
- Enthusiasm & dynamism
- Strong interpersonal & organizational skills
- Readiness to adjust in response to experimental findings or team feedback.
Your missions & responsibilities
- Perform common experimental in vitro project-related tasks:
- Cell thawing and passaging, cell amplification & freezing, supernatant collection and sampling, etc.
- Immune cell isolation and culture/co-culture
- Cell culture sample collection and processing (for flow cytometry, HTRF, ELISA, etc.)
- Acquire biological measures on respective platforms (flow cytometry, HTRF, ELISA, spectrophotometry…)
- Timely capture and compile data
- Guarantee experiments’ recording and data traceability
- Ensure ordering of lab consumables
- Ensure the availability and maintenance of the culture room equipment
- Participate in laboratory maintenance and related activities
Apply now!
Explicyte will attend the ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago this June 2025.
Our CEO, Dr. Alban Bessède, will present two posters highlighting translational studies conducted in collaboration with leading academic and industry partners:
Alban will be available for 1:1 meetings during the event (June 1–3) to explore opportunities for collaborations in preclinical and translational research in precision oncology.
Our CEO, Dr. Alban Bessède, will present two posters highlighting translational studies conducted in collaboration with leading academic and industry partners:
- Spatial transcriptomics reveal crucial determinants of immune exclusion in non-small cell lung cancer From the Precision Medicine BIP Study In collaboration with GSK, Institut Bergonié, and Gustave Roussy
- CCR8⁺ regulatory T cells and their correlation with immunotherapy response in advanced NSCLC In collaboration with Bayer AG, Institut Bergonié, and Gustave Roussy
Alban will be available for 1:1 meetings during the event (June 1–3) to explore opportunities for collaborations in preclinical and translational research in precision oncology.
Book a 1:1 meeting
In a groundbreaking study led by Prof. Antoine Italiano from the Bergonié & Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Centers, 42 patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms were treated with a combination of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy and the angiogenesis inhibitor regorafenib. The combination therapy resulted in increased response rates and improved survival outcomes compared to PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy alone. However, a significant portion of patients did not respond to this therapeutic regimen.
To uncover the mechanisms of resistance and identify potential predictive biomarkers, Explicyte developed a custom immunohistofluorescence (IHF) panel. Digital pathology revealed an overall increase in CD8+ T cell infiltration. In tumors from non-responding patients, we observed a higher proportion of PD1+ / IDO1+ neoplastic cells, suggesting the presence of an immunosuppressive environment mediated by tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway. This hypothesis was further supported by quantifying the Kynurenine/Tryptophan ratio, which was associated with IDO1 expression in tumor tissues and correlated with poorer clinical outcomes. Additionally, using Olink’s immuno-oncology and inflammation panels, we identified an enrichment of immune related proteins in the plasma of patients with high IDO1 activity. Soluble PD-L1, TNF receptor family members (OX40, CD40, 4-1BB), and the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin-10 were associated with unfavorable outcomes.
Altogether, this translational study suggests shows that the combination of regorafenib plus avelumab is interesting for patients with highly pre-treated GEP NETs, and suggests that adding IDO1 inhibitors to the combination of anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy and anti-angiogenic agents could be a promising strategy to enhance patient responses.
To uncover the mechanisms of resistance and identify potential predictive biomarkers, Explicyte developed a custom immunohistofluorescence (IHF) panel. Digital pathology revealed an overall increase in CD8+ T cell infiltration. In tumors from non-responding patients, we observed a higher proportion of PD1+ / IDO1+ neoplastic cells, suggesting the presence of an immunosuppressive environment mediated by tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway. This hypothesis was further supported by quantifying the Kynurenine/Tryptophan ratio, which was associated with IDO1 expression in tumor tissues and correlated with poorer clinical outcomes. Additionally, using Olink’s immuno-oncology and inflammation panels, we identified an enrichment of immune related proteins in the plasma of patients with high IDO1 activity. Soluble PD-L1, TNF receptor family members (OX40, CD40, 4-1BB), and the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin-10 were associated with unfavorable outcomes.
Altogether, this translational study suggests shows that the combination of regorafenib plus avelumab is interesting for patients with highly pre-treated GEP NETs, and suggests that adding IDO1 inhibitors to the combination of anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy and anti-angiogenic agents could be a promising strategy to enhance patient responses.
Read article in Nature Cancer
Alban Bessede, CEO of Explicyte, will attend the Meet2win oncology event in Bordeaux, France (May 6-7).
He will be available for 1:1 meetings over this 2-day event, to discuss potential preclinical and translational research opportunities.
He will be available for 1:1 meetings over this 2-day event, to discuss potential preclinical and translational research opportunities.
Alban Bessede, CEO, and Jean-Philippe Guegan, CTO, will present 2 posters at the 2025 AACR annual meeting in Chicago (April 25-30):
Feel free to reach out to them to arrange an on-site meeting!
- Impact of Immune Contexture on Immunotherapy Response in NSCLC: Insights from Multiplex IHC and Machine Learning-Based Phenotyping
- Tertiary Lymphoid Structures as Predictors of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Efficacy in NSCLC and the Development of an Ex Vivo Model for Precision Medicine
Feel free to reach out to them to arrange an on-site meeting!
Book a 1:1 meeting
Join us for an insightful session on March 27th, featuring the first authors behind three influential 2025 papers on tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in cancer:
Presenting a groundbreaking 2025 Nature paper, "IL-33-activated ILC2s induce tertiary lymphoid structures in pancreatic cancer". Dr. Amisaki’s work deepens our understanding of TLS biology and paves the way for innovative therapeutic strategies for transforming “cold” tumors into immunologically active environments.
Sharing findings from his PhD research, conducted at Explicyte, Dr. Peyaud will discuss 2 publications:
Immunologist Alban Bessede, PhD, CEO of Explicyte, will kick off the session. Dr Bessede has been working on TLS since 2020, co-authoring foundational papers in Nature Cancer and Nature Medicine on TLS & immune-checkpoint inhibitors, and is now developing accredited pathology services for detecting and scoring TLS in tumor specimens to support precision oncology initiatives.
Masataka Amisaki, MD, PhD, MSKCC (USA)
Presenting a groundbreaking 2025 Nature paper, "IL-33-activated ILC2s induce tertiary lymphoid structures in pancreatic cancer". Dr. Amisaki’s work deepens our understanding of TLS biology and paves the way for innovative therapeutic strategies for transforming “cold” tumors into immunologically active environments.
Florent Peyraud, MD, PhD, Institut Bergonié (France)
Sharing findings from his PhD research, conducted at Explicyte, Dr. Peyaud will discuss 2 publications:
- A research paper in Cell Reports Medicine titled "Spatially resolved transcriptomics reveal the determinants of primary resistance to immunotherapy in NSCLC with mature tertiary lymphoid structures"
- A comprehensive review in Med. titled "Tertiary lymphoid structures and cancer immunotherapy: From bench to bedside"
Session Introduction
Immunologist Alban Bessede, PhD, CEO of Explicyte, will kick off the session. Dr Bessede has been working on TLS since 2020, co-authoring foundational papers in Nature Cancer and Nature Medicine on TLS & immune-checkpoint inhibitors, and is now developing accredited pathology services for detecting and scoring TLS in tumor specimens to support precision oncology initiatives.
Register for the webinar
Explicyte Immuno-Oncology I Cancer ImmunoTherapy CRO Services
Explicyte immuno-oncology offers preclinical contract research services for cancer immunotherapy drug discovery and translational research services. Our preclinical CRO services range from cell-based assays – for the phenotypic screening of novel immunotherapeutics and the in vitro determination of the molecular mechanism of action of new anti-cancer immune modulators – to in vivo studies, using syngeneic mouse tumor models treated with antitumor immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies, anti-PD1/PDL-1 antibody therapy). Furthermore, we offer to explore the in vivo mechanism of action of innovative immunotherapies such as anti-cancer vaccines, gut microbiota modulators, and CAR-T and NK cell therapies, through the profiling of the anti-tumor immune response by flow cytometry, quantitative digital pathology, and RT-qPCR. In addition, we provide translational services in immuno-oncology. Working with patient biopsies (liquid or solid samples), we can assist clinicians in the discovery of novel cancer targets and biomarkers of cancer immunotherapies. In the context of clinical trials, we offer biomarker testing and biomarker research services. Our flow cytometry team has a 10-year expertise in biomarker analysis in plasma, serum, and PBMC samples. We also offer to analyze tumor biopsies using our spatial biology platform, combining digital pathology, single-cell spatial transcriptomics (Xenium), and digital spatial profiling (spatial transcriptomics using the Nanostring GeoMx ). Our Omics capacities also include single-cell RNA sequencing (10x Chromium) and Olink-based proteomics. All our drug development services for cancer immunotherapy are performed in Bordeaux, France, serving clients all around the world, including sponsors in Europe (EU and outside), Germany, Belgium, Spain, UK, USA, Canada, Japan, and Korea.