International Workshop Advances The OvaCure Collection’s Mission to Combat Ovarian Cancer

In August 2024 OvaCure gathered the collaborating partners behind The OvaCure Collection – a groundbreaking initiative in ovarian cancer research – for an international workshop held in Copenhagen. The two-day event focused on key scientific, ethical, and collaborative challenges, aiming to enhance organoid development, data integration, and communication strategies.

Day 1: Setting the Vision and Tackling Challenges

The workshop began with breakfast, followed by a full-day agenda in the meeting room:

• Revisiting the project’s vision.
• Finalizing workflows.
• Discussing data presentation and future options.
• Agreeing on the website’s user interface.

Gathering all the collaborators was crucial, given the geographic distribution of team members, including Finnish partners from three separate institutions.
The face-to-face discussions allowed for deeper engagement on critical topics.
The importance of distinguishing between ovarian cancer subtypes was underscored, as high-grade serous tumors are particularly challenging for organoid development. Most biobanks have limited samples of this subtype, highlighting The OvaCure Collection’s unique contribution.

Sequencing workflows, organoid expansion and ethical considerations were other major focuses on the first day of the workshop.

Day 2: Communication Strategies and Technological Insights

Day two began with further discussions in the meeting room, focusing on:

• Communication and launch plans for The OvaCure Collection.
• Planning the 2025 OvaCure Innovation Challenge.

Our Finnish collaborators noted upcoming opportunities to promote the project at major events, including several different presentations.

Post-lunch, the entire group visited BRIC for a hands-on session. Assistant professor Wojciech Senkowski showcased organoids stored in freezers and under microscopes, sharing his extensive expertise with attendees.

Conclusion

The workshop provided a comprehensive overview of The OvaCure Collection’s current status and future directions. Discussions emphasized the importance of technical advancements, ethical compliance, and strengthened collaborations to propel the initiative forward. The next steps include optimizing organoid development processes, enhancing data-sharing structures, and continuing efforts to maximize the ethical and scientific impact of organoid research.

The OvaCure Collection remains at the forefront of innovation, striving to improve outcomes for ovarian cancer patients worldwide.