EPIGENOMICS AG

Their core work

Epigenomics AG is a Berlin-based molecular diagnostics SME that develops blood-based tests for early cancer detection using DNA methylation biomarkers. Their core competence is translating epigenetic signatures into regulated in-vitro diagnostic products, covering the full path from biomarker discovery through clinical validation to CE/FDA-ready assays. Within H2020 they brought this capability to lung cancer plasma testing (which they led) and to precision-medicine stratification for metastatic colorectal cancer. In practice, they are the partner a health consortium calls when a research biomarker needs to become a validated diagnostic test.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015-2017 they acted as SME principal investigator, driving a single large validation project (proLungPlasma) focused on plasma epigenetic markers for lung cancer detection — the classic Epigenomics playbook of turning methylation science into a diagnostic. From 2018 onward their footprint shifts from solo-led IVD validation to contributing diagnostic expertise inside a larger multi-omics, systems-medicine colorectal cancer consortium (COLOSSUS). The trajectory is from single-assay lung cancer validation toward integration of their biomarker work into broader precision-medicine stratification frameworks.

They are moving from owning a single-assay validation project toward being the diagnostic-translation partner inside larger precision-oncology consortia, so they are well positioned for collaborations that need a biomarker-to-IVD bridge.

How they like to work

They can operate in both modes: leading a small, tightly scoped SME-Instrument validation effort (proLungPlasma) and joining a large research-and-innovation consortium as a specialist partner (COLOSSUS). Across just two projects they have already worked with 13 partners across 8 countries, which suggests an outward-facing, non-insular network rather than a fixed clique. Expect them to be comfortable owning the diagnostic work-package and interfacing with clinical and bioinformatics partners.

Two projects have already connected them to 13 unique partners in 8 countries, reflecting pan-European reach typical of oncology consortia. No single geographic cluster dominates; their anchor is Berlin with collaborators spread across EU clinical and research centres.

What sets them apart

Epigenomics AG is one of the few European SMEs that has actually commercialised DNA-methylation cancer tests (their Epi proColon and lung-cancer assay heritage), which means they bring real regulated-IVD experience rather than only academic biomarker research. For a consortium, partnering with them de-risks the path from a discovered biomarker to a CE/FDA-compliant product — a gap most university groups cannot close. They are a natural diagnostic-translation partner for any oncology project that wants clinical impact, not just publications.

Highlights from their portfolio

• proLungPlasma
  Coordinator role on a EUR 2.77M SME-2 project to validate a lung cancer plasma reflex test — their largest and most representative H2020 activity.
• COLOSSUS
  Their entry into multi-omics precision oncology for metastatic colorectal cancer, signalling a shift from single-biomarker assays to systems-medicine stratification.