What Precision Oncology Ireland does

Precision Oncology Ireland (POI) is a national cancer research consortium, founded in November 2019 and headquartered at University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland. It is coordinated by Systems Biology Ireland (SBI) and operates as a multi-stakeholder partnership comprising six academic partners (UCD, RCSI, Trinity College Dublin, University of Galway, UCC, and others), 15 charities and non-profit organisations, and 10 industry partners including AstraZeneca, Janssen, Helsinn, Genuity Science, and Phion Therapeutics. POI's mission is to develop new diagnostics and therapeutics for personalised cancer treatment, addressing the lack of precision oncology infrastructure in Ireland's cancer care system where over 40,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year.

POI's technology platform integrates next-generation sequencing (NGS), multi-omics data analysis (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics), and proprietary computational modelling developed at Systems Biology Ireland to generate personalised molecular profiles and predict therapy responses in silico. Research programmes span precision diagnostics (OncoMasTR biomarker panel for breast cancer risk stratification, multiplexed tissue imaging with deep learning-based image analysis, spatial transcriptomics), precision treatments (IRE1 inhibitors for triple-negative breast cancer, glioblastoma, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; miRNA/EV therapeutics; immune checkpoint inhibitor pathway mapping with AstraZeneca; nanoparticle delivery via Phion Therapeutics), and a national cancer biobanking network covering breast, oesophageal, blood, and paediatric neuroblastoma samples. Patient Voice in Cancer Research (PVCR) embeds patient advocates in governance and research co-design, a structural differentiator versus typical academic programmes.

POI is a not-for-profit research consortium, not a commercial enterprise; it generates no product revenue and has no disclosed pricing for services. It is funded through Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland's Strategic Partnership Programme (€11.9 million for POI-1 over five years; €28 million additional for POI-2 launched October 2025), co-funding from charity partners (Irish Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Ireland, National Breast Cancer Research Institute, Oesophageal Cancer Fund, Breakthrough Cancer Research, National Children's Research Centre), and industry partner contributions. The consortium operates a hybrid go-to-market centred on collaborative research agreements, industry open-day events, academic publication, patient involvement programmes, and public engagement activities; industry and academic partners access shared resources via application processes managed through [email protected].

Name

Precision Oncology Ireland

Legal name

Precision Oncology Ireland

Website

https://precisiononcology.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Precision Oncology Ireland is a non-profit cancer research consortium coordinated by Systems Biology Ireland at UCD, uniting six universities, 15 charities, and 10 industry partners to develop precision diagnostics and therapeutics for personalised cancer treatment in Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Research / Precision Oncology Research Services

NAICS

Medical Laboratories (621511), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Omics Precision Medicine Platforms (genomics/proteomics/metabolomics) (HLAAANAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Genomic Profiling & Sequencing-Based Precision Medicine (HLAAANAA), Oncology Pathways & Precision Medicine Decision Support (HLACAGAH), Neuro-Oncology (HLAKAFAH)

Keywords

• Cancer research consortium
• Precision oncology
• Multi-omics analysis
• Computational biology modelling
• Cancer biobanking services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research Ireland / Government Funding (Strategic Partnership Programme): POI is part-funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland under their Strategic Partnership Programme. The combined Research Ireland, charity, and industrial funding commitment totals €11.9 million over five years for the initial phase (POI-1). Additional €28 million in funding announced for POI-2 (Phase 2, launched October 2025).
2. Charity & Non-Profit Partner Funding: Six Irish cancer research charities (including Irish Cancer Society, National Breast Cancer Research Institute, Breakthrough Cancer Research, Oesophageal Cancer Fund, National Children's Research Centre, and others) co-fund specific research projects within POI. This represents a significant proportion of funding down to the generosity of the Irish public in donating and fundraising.
3. Industry Partner Contributions: Ten industry partners (including AstraZeneca, Genuity Science, Janssen, Helsinn, Phion Therapeutics) contribute funding, expertise, and in-kind resources to the consortium. Industry partners engage through co-funded research projects, internships for researchers, and collaborative research agreements.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Precision Oncology Ireland is a national research consortium that develops precision diagnostics and therapeutics for personalised cancer treatment. It integrates multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics), next-generation sequencing, computational modelling, multiplexed tissue imaging, and a national cancer biobanking network across five Irish universities, six charities, and ten industry partners. It also runs patient involvement and public engagement programmes to translate research from bench to bedside.

Product overview

Precision Oncology Ireland (POI) is a national cancer research consortium, not a commercial product company. It operates as a collaborative programme bringing together six academic institutions, 15 charities/non-profits, and 10 industry partners coordinated by Systems Biology Ireland at UCD, funded by Research Ireland. The consortium develops diagnostics and therapeutics for personalized cancer treatment through four research areas: Precision Diagnostics, Precision Treatments, Resources & Infrastructure, and Patient Involvement. Key offerings include biobanking resources (breast, oesophageal, blood, and neuroblastoma cancer biobanks), next-generation sequencing with computational modeling and multi-omics data integration, multiplexed tissue imaging platform for biomarker validation, OncoMasTR biomarker panel for breast cancer risk stratification, microRNA therapeutics for breast cancer, IRE1 inhibitors for cancer therapy, and microbiome profiling services for patient stratification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Data Integration Resource Shared research resource providing nucleic acid extraction, QC and genotyping, NGS techniques, methylation profiling, computational modelling, and multi-omics data integration for precision oncology researchers across the consortium. A collaboration between Systems Biology Ireland and Genuity Science.
• National Cancer Biobanking Network Harmonised network of cancer biobanks across Ireland, including Breast Cancer Ireland/RCSI Breast Cancer Biobank (3,000+ samples), NUI Galway Breast Cancer Biobank (1,700+ samples), Barrett's Oesophagus Registry & Biobank (300+ patients across six hospitals), Blood Cancer Biobank Ireland (400+ patients, ~15,000 tubes), Paediatric Neuroblastoma Biobank, and the TAILORx Breast Cancer Tissue Bank (400+ samples). Accessible to authorised researchers via application.
• Multiplexed Tissue Imaging Platform Work Package 4.4 platform combining multi-marker fluorescence-based IHC staining, digital slide scanning for high-quality fluorescence images, and clinically validated image analysis software. Used to develop tissue-based multiplexed tests, including combinations with the OncoMasTR biomarker panel for risk-stratified treatment prediction in breast cancer.
• OncoMasTR Biomarker Panel (in development) A panel of 11 gene biomarkers under development to differentiate high-risk breast cancer patients who need chemotherapy from low-risk patients who do not, combined with immune biomarkers for improved predictive output.
• miRNA/EV Therapeutics for Breast Cancer (Project P2.2) Research programme developing extracellular vesicle (EV) delivery of tumour-suppressing microRNAs (specifically miR-379) using mesenchymal stem cells for treating advanced breast cancer, including brain metastases.
• IRE1 Inhibitor for Cancer Therapy (Project P2.4) Preclinical research programme advancing IRE1 inhibitors for triple-negative breast cancer, glioblastoma, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, sensitising cancer cells to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and cell-based therapies.
• Microbiome Profiling for Patient Stratification (Project P1.1) Research service investigating microbiome influence on cancer therapy responses, including development of point-of-care devices to rapidly analyse the bacterial profiles of cancer patients to predict response to treatment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Precision Oncology Ireland aims to accelerate the development of new diagnostics and therapies for cancer and allow these advances to reach cancer patients in Ireland earlier than current timelines.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Phion TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2020Phion Therapeutics, a spin-out from Queen's University Belfast led by CEO Prof. Helen McCarthy, is a POI partner developing biomimetic peptide delivery systems for nanomedicine applications. Within POI, Phion works with Prof. Tracy Robson at RCSI to develop a novel tumour-specific targeted nanoparticle delivery system to send the anti-angiogenic and anti-migratory gene FKBPL directly to ovarian tumours.
• Genuity SciencecoreTechnology or IntegrationGenuity Science is an industry partner providing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data generation capacity to POI. The collaboration with Systems Biology Ireland (SBI) combines Genuity's expertise in automated DNA/RNA extraction from FFPE tissue, methylation analysis, genotyping, whole exome/genome/RNA sequencing with SBI's computational modelling and data integration capabilities. This shared resource forms a key component of POI's multi-omics infrastructure.
• AstraZenecacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAstraZeneca collaborates with POI on improving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies, focusing on ovarian cancer. Computational scientists, biologists and clinicians from SBI and AstraZeneca team up to analyse molecular mechanisms of action of ICIs, map PD1 and CTLA4 signalling pathways, and develop better combination therapies. AstraZeneca also co-hosted a virtual open-day event with POI researchers. AstraZeneca's focus on immunotherapies aligns with POI's strategic research priorities.
• Janssen (Pharmaceuticals of Johnson & Johnson)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJanssen collaborated with POI to host a live-streamed expert panel discussion on 'Enabling Precision Oncology in Irish Healthcare', examining how prepared the Irish healthcare system is for precision oncology. The event featured internationally recognised experts including Janssen's EMEA Precision Medicine Leader Dr. Nicoline van Leersum. This collaboration highlights shared interest in advancing precision medicine in Ireland.
• Children's Health Ireland (CHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's Health Ireland collaborates with POI on neuroblastoma research (Project P2.6). CHI provides translational research resources including the Children's Clinical Research Unit and Biosample Storage Facility at CHI at Crumlin. Dr. Cormac Owens leads the neuroblastoma sample collection housed in CHI at Crumlin, enabling computational modelling close to the paediatric patient.
• Breast Cancer IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBreast Cancer Ireland is a charity partner co-funding the Breast Cancer Ireland and RCSI Breast Cancer Patient Biobank containing over 3,000 samples including primary and metastatic tumour, blood and serum linked to clinical data. Prof. Leonie Young coordinates this biobank in collaboration with Breast Cancer Ireland as part of POI's biobanking infrastructure.
• National Breast Cancer Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) is a charity partner co-funding the NUI Galway Breast Cancer Biobank containing samples from more than 1,700 breast cancer patients representing each subtype and stage of disease. Prof. Michael Kerin coordinates this biobank at NUIG. NBCRI funds multiple POI research projects including PhD positions.
• Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Oesophageal Cancer Fund co-funds the Barrett's Oesophagus Biobank and National Registry coordinated by Prof. Jacintha O'Sullivan and Prof. John Reynolds at Trinity College Dublin. The biobank includes samples from 300 patients to date. The registry connects six Irish hospitals for Barrett's surveillance and research into oesophageal cancer development.
• Blood Cancer Network Ireland / Blood Cancer Biobank IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlood Cancer Network Ireland, co-funded by Research Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society, established the Blood Cancer Biobank Ireland (BCBI) at NUI Galway. The biobank contains over 500 patient samples (approximately 15,000 tubes) from bone marrow and blood of blood cancer patients, collected by seven hospitals across Ireland. Dr. Eva Szegezdi coordinates BCNI and the biobank as part of POI's infrastructure.
• Breakthrough Cancer ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBreakthrough Cancer Research is a charity partner that co-funds POI research including Project P1.1 (Microbiome Profiling, Dr. Sidney Walker) and public engagement initiatives. Breakthrough Cancer Research also launched the interactive public exhibition 'Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope' telling stories of cancer patients and researchers.
• HelsinncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelsinn, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, co-funds POI's Project P1.2 on biomarkers for use of ghrelin agonists and nutritional status to treat cancer cachexia. Helsinn developed Anamorelin, a ghrelin agonist drug for cachexia treatment (approved in Japan), and the project aims to develop companion biomarkers to identify which patients will benefit from Anamorelin therapy.
• National Children's Research Centre (NCRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Children's Research Centre co-funds the Paediatric Neuroblastoma Biobank for POI, coordinated by Dr. Cormac Owens and located at Children's Health Ireland in Crumlin. This biobank provides paediatric neuroblastoma tumour tissues and biopsies to support high-risk neuroblastoma research within the consortium.
• Systems Biology Ireland (SBI) at UCDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSystems Biology Ireland (SBI) is the coordinating centre for POI. SBI provides world-leading expertise in computational modelling, multi-omics data integration, and signal transduction network reconstruction. SBI scientists develop computer models from biological data to predict disease states and therapy responses, representing POI's core analytical capability. Prof. Walter Kolch is Director of both SBI and POI.
• Patient Voice in Cancer Research (PVCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Patient Voice in Cancer Research (PVCR), established in UCD in 2016, facilitates dialogue between patients and researchers to enrich the research process. POI works closely with PVCR on patient involvement initiatives including Dragon's Den events, governance board representation (Jan Rynne), patient engagement workshops, and co-design of patient involvement strategies.
• Cancer Trials IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCancer Trials Ireland facilitated collection of more than 400 early-stage breast cancer samples from the TAILORx clinical trial for the TAILORx Breast Cancer Tissue Bank, led by Prof. Darran O'Connor at RCSI as part of POI's biobanking infrastructure.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard: Broad Institute runs large-scale cancer genomics programmes (e.g., TCGA, Dependency Map) with industry and clinical translation pipelines. Overlaps with POI on cancer genomics, biomarker discovery, and computational biology but operates at far greater scale and budget.
• European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC): EORTC is the pan-European cancer clinical research infrastructure running hundreds of translational and clinical trials across cancer types. A broader incumbent with overlapping precision oncology ambitions, larger scale, and longer track record than POI; a meaningful comparator for clinical-translation scope and industry partnership norms.
• Wellcome Sanger Institute: Sanger is a large-scale genomics research institute (UK) running major cancer sequencing programmes (e.g., COSMIC, Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation) and serving as a scientific reference for genomic precision oncology research. Comparable to POI's NGS, multi-omics, and biomarker discovery remit but at materially larger scale.

Direct peers

• The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine: JAX Genomic Medicine runs cancer genomics, computational biology, and precision oncology research with extensive industry and clinical partnerships. Directly comparable in combining NGS, multi-omics, mouse models, and translational pipelines for personalised cancer treatment.
• Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen): TGen is a non-profit genomics research institute focused on translational precision oncology, running multi-omics profiling, biomarker discovery, and clinical trial partnerships with industry. Closely comparable mission and structure to POI's translational pipeline and academic/industry hybrid model.
• Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN): ORIEN is a US-based alliance of leading cancer centres sharing patient-consented clinical and molecular data for precision oncology research. Mirrors POI's consortium structure (multi-institution, multi-omics biobank, biomarker discovery, industry partnerships) and is one of the most directly comparable research-consortium operating models.
• WIN Consortium (Worldwide Innovative Networking in Personalized Cancer Medicine): WIN is an international precision oncology consortium linking academic centres, industry partners, and patient advocates to run biomarker-driven trials. Operates a near-identical model to POI — multi-stakeholder, globally distributed, focused on translating molecular profiling into treatment selection — and is a natural comparator.
• Institute for Systems Biology (ISB): ISB is a leading non-profit systems biology research organisation focused on multi-omics integration, predictive computational modelling, and translational cancer research. Highly comparable to POI's coordinating centre at Systems Biology Ireland (SBI), sharing both scientific approach (systems/computational biology) and consortium-style structure.
• Cancer Core Europe: Cancer Core Europe is a European consortium of seven leading cancer research centres running joint translational research, molecular tumour boards, and precision oncology trials. Directly comparable to POI's model of multi-institutional academic collaboration, multi-omics profiling, and biomarker-driven clinical translation in a European healthcare context.

Others

• BBMRI-ERIC (Biobanking and BioMolecular Resources Research Infrastructure): BBMRI-ERIC is the European research infrastructure coordinating biobanking standards, federated access, and sample/data sharing across member states. Directly comparable to POI's national biobanking network infrastructure (Irish biobanks) and shared resource access programme, but operates as a pan-European enabling layer rather than a research programme.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/precision-oncology-ireland
• Instagraminstagram.com/precisiononcologyireland
• Xx.com/precisiononcire
• Facebookfacebook.com/PrecisionOncIre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Precision Oncology Ireland