Are the samples sourced from commercial vendors

Yes, we procure live tissue samples from commercial vendors who in turn source them from a variety of hospitals. We also use the NCI network hospitals to obtain tissues.

Is clinical data associated with these samples available?

We do have some clinical data available including therapeutic history from de-identified patient samples.

Are the tumoroids frozen, separated and then reused?

Yes, we biobank them for the purpose of repeatability. Additionally, We have demonstrated growth of up to five generations without issue.

Are the PBMC’s cryopreserved as such; or, do you maintain them as T-cells?

The entirety of the PBMCs are stored without expansion in lot sizes sufficient for long-term, longitudinal and repeat studies.

Do the PDTs change over time?

We see no changes up to 5 generations. We also do not typically exceed a 28-day study timeframes in our experiments to ensure there are no substantive changes.

With regards to heterogeneity, how do you account for the uniqueness of the location from which the biopsy was obtained?

We cannot obtain complete tumors. We address Intratumoral heterogeneity by using multiple tumor models of the same type and many thousands of tumoroids within each study.

Do you use tumor chunks/fragments, or create spheroids of a specific size where there is loss of the original tumor architecture for the recreation of a 3D structure?

Our technology uses mechanically apportioned tumor to create Patient Derived Tumoroids (PDT’s). We do not create tumoroids of a single size but of a variety of sizes from 50-500 μm3. We think of it as growth of the tumor ex-vivo while retaining the tumor architecture and microenvironment.

What is the rationale for using mechanical separation over enzymatic digestion?

We do this to ensure the stromal cells and the source tumor-microenvironment (TME) from the patients remain intact.

Are the tumor models tested using autologous PBMC’s?

The Spanios PDT’s use HLA matched allogeneic PBMCs. We do it this way to enable repeatability of each batch for future experiments. Depending on your study goals, we can procure matched live tumor and PBMCs from the same patient if requested.

How do you activate your PBMCs and ensure proliferation?

We add CD-28 and IL-2 to ensure activation. We have demonstrated that B-cells and macrophages are present. Yes, they can proliferate but we don’t allow them to change the TME.

How do you intend to utilize your Perfusion Model to capture the patient response for complex modalities?

We do this with our next generation dynamic PDTs platform COMPASS 3 which utilizes a blood substitute. Both our COMPASS 2 and COMPASS 3 platforms help to better stratify your patients.

What is the benefit of the COMPASS 3 Perfusion Model? Is it primarily to investigate immune incorporation?

The COMPASS 3 Perfusion Model is a more physiologically relevant platform as it works with a blood substitute to test agents in the presence of an oxygenated microenvironment versus hypoxic conditions. This can be done with or without the immune system components being present.

Does your platform have stroma and the immune components?

This is dependent on the version of the model systems. COMPASS 1 platform models have the epithelium and stroma; while COMPASS 2 has both stroma and immune components. The COMPASS 3 Platform can model both all of the aforementioned both with and without oxygen modulation.

Are myeloids present in the models?

We have tested B cells, T cells and Macrophages so far. We are in the process of testing all pertinent immunophenotypes including NK cells and Dendritics.

Regarding T-cell engagement, NK cells, can you find signs of engagement and signs of exhaustion?

We can demonstrate this by performing cytokine studies. For example, we can test CD-28, CD-169 interaction through cytokines. We also have done checkpoint inhibitor studies. In immune competent organoids, we test anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4. We have tested these in multiple tumoroids per sample in several indications over 14 days with great success.

How comparable are Spanios PDT results to clinical outcomes?

Previous studies have shown that 80-85% of what has worked intratumorally has also worked in the clinical setup. Spanios PDT’s are the most translatable model available.

What is your broad framework of studies that you do?

Apart from efficacy studies we focus a lot on mechanistic and biomarkers studies, and other routine ways of helping in patient selection criteria for clinical studies.

How many treatment arms are possible (average) per specimen (it was mentioned that 4 replicates are run per treatment arm)?

We do not have a limit on the treatment arms as our PDTs are always banked thus we can build as many arms as required. We suggest an n=4. We also usually do not have a limit on the number of assays that can be performed.

What testing readouts do you offer?

We provide details of tumor volume reduction and tumor number reduction, both bulk and scRNA-seq, immunofluorescence, immunophenotyping, apoptosis, proliferation and migration assays, cytokine arrays, tumor cell and non-tumor cell high content imaging, MOA studies, Escape-response assessments, FACS, deep proteomics and H&E staining. Additional assays available upon request. Fully customizable.

For cell therapies, could cell migration/tumor infiltration be followed and quantified via a cell fluorescence label?

Yes, we have followed the PBMCs by labeling them so TIL infiltration can be followed using a fluorescent label. Cell migration data is usually done using phase contrast microscopy over time.

Careers

Our team is growing!

Please contact us today to learn more about our career opportunities.

Job Openings

Full Job Description

Company Overview

Spanios is a biotechnology platform development firm enabling drug discovery and development companies with its patient derived tumoroid technology. It provides unique drug discovery and validation services that are customized to the client. Through its capabilities of generating human cancer and therapeutic efficacy data, we save pharmaceutical companies precious time and money in getting efficient drugs to patients.

As a growing and novel business, we employ a talented and strategically curated team of individuals, located in cancer research and development hubs located in the USA.

Science, Agility and Culture are the core components that define Spanios, enabling us to do what we do in the way that we do it. People join Spanios because we are a scientifically innovative member of the drug development community, driven by an unswerving belief that cancer patients need better therapies proven faster and provided sooner.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented Business Development Manager to flourish within a high-profile position at Spanios. The individual will be part of a high performance, cross-functional sales team and will be instrumental in supporting our new customer acquisition efforts.

Candidates should demonstrate a working knowledge of the oncology & immune-oncology drug discovery and development process. Prior successful experience in selling CRO/Biotech services into the pharma sector is required. You will be expected to utilize all available systems and tools to engage new companies and work collaboratively with colleagues to identify and progress new business opportunities for Spanios.

We are seeking an entrepreneurial professional with a tenacious appetite for sales to build a robust and deep opportunity pipeline. You will be required to interact directly with customers at all levels representing Spanios’ ethos, capabilities and values. An ability to understand and succinctly articulate a customer’s problem statement and work closely with subject matter experts to build a tailored solution is critical.

This BD Managers role will work closely with the Head of Commercial Development to create an effective and efficient business plan to achieve growth in the region – the specific region will be tailored to the role holder.

Other Main Tasks and Responsibilities Include

Prospecting to identify and progress new business opportunities utilizing all available tools and systems.
Collaborating with Business Development colleagues to identify and target top prospect accounts as part of a cohesive territory strategy.
Generation of new leads and opportunities from target accounts.
Progression of business opportunities from lead identification to the point of handover to the relevant Business Development colleague. This will involve the design and implementation of nurturing campaigns; provision of appropriate resources/materials; execution of confidentiality agreements; opportunity validation and the development of ballpark pricing documents.
Accountable for Salesforce.com data entry/quality and generating timely activity reports, metrics and KPIs as requested.
Close working relationships with marketing, business development, technical sales, legal and project management will be critical for success.
Travel for face-to-face client meetings, conferences, seminars both nationally and internationally will be expected as will participation in local vendor shows networking events.
An ability to quickly assimilate Spanios’ capabilities and clearly articulate to clients at all levels.
Understand the competitive landscape within an identified territory and develop tactics to exploit this to your advantage.

The Candidate

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (MS/PhD Preferred) in a related field (Molecular or Cellular Biology, Immunology, or related).
Minimum of 10 years’ experience in CDMO/CRO/scientific sales and business development, project management, contract management, or pharmaceutical, clinical research or CDMO laboratory experience.
Technology orientation with the ability to gain proficiency using a Customer Relationship Management system (CRM). Prior experience with a CRM system, preferably Salesforce, preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication, project management, organization skills and ability to multi-task.
Results oriented, determined self-starter; comfortable, willing and able to make cold calls and aptitude for thinking “outside the box”.
Proven ability to interact at all levels ranging from VPs to Drug Discovery Team scientists.

Company Benefits

In return you will receive a competitive salary, a generous benefits package, excellent training and development, as well as an exciting career within a fast paced and dynamic business.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Spanios advocates for positive change and conscious inclusion.

We strive to create a diverse Spanios family by remaining committed to the development of our culture, equality, mindset, diversity & inclusion in the workplace.

As a growing employer with international goals, we recognize the value in having an organization that is a true reflection and representation of our society today. All applicants welcome.

If you have any questions or need some support with your application, we’d love to hear from you so contact our friendly team at careers@spanioslab.com

Full Job Description

Prospecting to identify and progress new business opportunities utilizing all available tools and systems.
Collaborating with Business Development colleagues to identify and target top prospect accounts as part of a cohesive territory strategy.
Generation of new leads and opportunities from target accounts.
Progression of business opportunities from lead identification to the point of handover to the relevant Business Development colleague. This will involve the design and implementation of nurturing campaigns; provision of appropriate resources/materials; execution of confidentiality agreements; opportunity validation and the development of ballpark pricing documents.
Accountable for Salesforce.com data entry/quality and generating timely activity reports, metrics and KPIs as requested.
Close working relationships with marketing, business development, technical sales, legal and project management will be critical for success.
Travel for face-to-face client meetings, conferences, seminars both nationally and internationally will be expected as will participation in local vendor shows networking events.
An ability to quickly assimilate Spanios’ capabilities and clearly articulate to clients at all levels.
Understand the competitive landscape within an identified territory and develop tactics to exploit this to your advantage.

The Candidate

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (MS/PhD Preferred) in a related field (Molecular or Cellular Biology, Immunology, or related).
Minimum of 10 years’ experience in CDMO/CRO/scientific sales and business development, project management, contract management, or pharmaceutical, clinical research or CDMO laboratory experience.
Technology orientation with the ability to gain proficiency using a Customer Relationship Management system (CRM). Prior experience with a CRM system, preferably Salesforce, preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication, project management, organization skills and ability to multi-task.
Results oriented, determined self-starter; comfortable, willing and able to make cold calls and aptitude for thinking “outside the box”.
Proven ability to interact at all levels ranging from VPs to Drug Discovery Team scientists.

Full Job Description

Who we are?
Spanios is a biotechnology platform development firm enabling drug discovery and development companies with its patient derived tumoroid technology. Spanios provides unique drug discovery and validation services aimed at addressing the client’s specific needs. Through the capabilities of generating human cancer and therapeutic efficacy data, Spanios saves pharmaceutical companies valuable time and money in getting efficient drugs to patients.

As a growing and novel business, we employ a talented and strategically curated team of individuals, located in cancer research and development hubs located in the USA.

Science, Agility and Culture are the core components defines Spanios. Highly motivated and talented individuals join Spanios because we are a scientifically innovative member of the drug development community, driven by an unswerving belief that cancer patients need better therapies proven faster and provided sooner.

What you’ll be doing

This job is suitable for a responsible, skilled individual who can oversee multiple projects to provide supervisory support to Research Associates working on their individual projects and assignments. This position will offer a unique and rewarding translational research experience in a dynamic and highly productive environment. As a Project Manager you will provide responsible assistance for initiation and completion of the project assigned to the Research Associate (s) reporting to you.

A day in your work life might include…

Overseeing generating and propagating 3D organoid cultures.
Performing/troubleshooting routine research assays such as flow cytometry and qRT-PCR to validate cultures.
Analysis and documentation of results related to the project (s).
Reporting the progress on the projects under your supervision.
Communicating the progress and updates on the project to the CSO and or COO.
Contributing to lab maintenance including ordering supplies, general clean up, freezer cataloguing, and maintaining lab equipment.

What we need from you

This is a full-time in-person position at the Houston location.
Skilled in 3D models of cancers.
Skilled in standards cell culture assays like proliferation, apoptosis etc.
Experience in Microscopy and qPCR analysis.
Identify and troubleshoot technical problems in day-to-day operations.
Team Leadership and training of research associates.
Team participation and co-operation.
To be motivated to keep-up with related scientific literature and progress.
Commitment to job’s expectations while maintaining work-life balance.
Requirement based travel for conferences.

What you’ll bring to the team

Master’s degree in a related field.
Two years of relevant experience.
At least a year of experience in the field of tumoroids.
Tissue culture expertise and experience with sterile technique is a must.
Technical experience in sterile maintenance and culturing of cells, flow cytometry, microscopy, and RT-qPCR required.
Entry and maintenance of lab notes and related documents.
Leadership skills.
Responsibility and accountability on the project (s) under supervision.

Company Benefits

Competitive salary.
Generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision health coverage.
Excellent training and development.
Opportunity to grow within the company.
An exciting career within a fast paced and dynamic biotech business.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Spanios advocates for positive change and conscious inclusion.
We strive to create a diverse Spanios family by remaining committed to the development of our culture, equality, mindset, diversity & inclusion in the workplace.
As a growing employer with international goals, we recognize the value in having an organization that is a true reflection and representation of our society today. All applicants welcome.

Sounds exciting? Get in touch today!

Are you the one we are looking for? Are we the company you have been waiting for? Apply today. If you have any questions or need some support with your application, we’d love to hear from you so contact our friendly team at careers@spanioslab.com

Full Job Description

As a growing and novel business, we employ a talented and strategically curated team of individuals, located in cancer research and development hubs located in the USA.

What you’ll be doing

A day in your work life might include…

Overseeing generating and propagating 3D organoid cultures.
Designing and implementing experimental plans for different projects and along with the CSO.
Performing/troubleshooting for research associates, usually along PDT growth, flow cytometry, qPCR, and imaging.
Analysis and documentation of results related to the project (s).
Reporting the progress on the projects under your supervision.
Communicating the progress and updates on the project to the CSO and or COO.

What we need from you

This is a full time in-person position at the Houston location.
Good interpersonal skills and solid scientific know how of cancer model systems and translational work.
Experience in motivating a team and ensuring work deadlines are met.
Keep-up with related scientific literature and progress.
Team participation and co-operation.
Commitment to job’s expectations while maintaining work-life balance.
Requirement based travel for conferences.

What you’ll bring to the team

PhD degree in related field.
Leadership skills.
Two years of relevant experience.
At least a year of experience in the field of tumoroids.
Tissue culture expertise and experience with sterile technique is a must.
Technical experience in sterile maintenance and culturing of cells, flow cytometry, microscopy, and qPCR required.
Entry and maintenance of lab notes and related documents.
Responsibility and accountability on the project (s) under supervision.

Company Benefits

Competitive salary.
Generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision health coverage.
Excellent training and development.
Opportunity to grow within the company.
An exciting career within a fast paced and dynamic biotech business.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Spanios advocates for positive change and conscious inclusion.
We strive to create a diverse Spanios family by remaining committed to the development of our culture, equality, mindset, diversity & inclusion in the workplace.
As a growing employer with international goals, we recognize the value in having an organization that is a true reflection and representation of our society today. All applicants welcome.

Sounds exciting? Get in touch today!

Full Job Description

As a growing and novel business, we employ a talented and strategically curated team of individuals, located in cancer research and development hubs located in the USA.

What you’ll be doing

This job is suitable for an individual with meticulous skills for compilation, analysis, presentations, and communication of data from multiple projects with the CSO and COO for the purpose of documentation and communication with the clients. Someone who can co-ordinate Research Associates working on different projects to receive data for further distribution. This position will offer a unique and rewarding translational research experience in a dynamic and highly productive environment.

A day in your work life might include…

Following generating and propagating 3D organoid cultures.
Performing/tracking routine research assays such as flow cytometry and qRT-PCR to validate cultures.
Analysis and documentation of results related to the project (s).
Presenting the progress on multiple projects.
Communicating the reports and presentations related to the project to the CSO and or COO and even companywide.
Contributing to lab maintenance including ordering supplies, general clean up, freezer cataloguing, and maintaining lab equipment.

What we need from you

This is a full-time in-person position at the Houston location.
To be motivated to keep-up with related scientific literature and progress.
Team participation and co-operation.
Commitment to job’s expectations while maintaining work-life balance.
Submission of abstracts to various conferences.
White papers, posters, flyers, and other forms of scientific communications.
Requirement based travel for conferences.

What you’ll bring to the team

A MS in Bioengineering.
A (MD)/PhD in related field preferred.
MBA preferred.
At least a year of experience in the field of tumoroids.
Tissue culture expertise and experience with sterile technique is a must.
Technical experience in sterile maintenance and culturing of cells, flow cytometry, microscopy, and RT-qPCR required.
Entry and maintenance of lab notes and related documents.
Excellent eye for details and Leadership skills.

Company Benefits

Competitive salary.
Generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision health coverage.
Excellent training and development.
Opportunity to grow within the company.
An exciting career within a fast paced and dynamic biotech business.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Spanios advocates for positive change and conscious inclusion.
We strive to create a diverse Spanios family by remaining committed to the development of our culture, equality, mindset, diversity & inclusion in the workplace.
As a growing employer with international goals, we recognize the value in having an organization that is a true reflection and representation of our society today. All applicants welcome.

Sounds exciting? Get in touch today!

Full Job Description

As a growing and novel business, we employ a talented and strategically curated team of individuals, located in cancer research and development hubs located in the USA.

What you’ll be doing

This job is suitable for a responsible, skilled individual someone who can handle multiple projects and can follow instructions to complete assignments under minimal supervision. This position will offer a unique and rewarding translational research experience in a dynamic and highly productive environment. As a Research Associate you will provide responsible assistance for establishment and propagation of organoid cultures.

A day in your work life might include…

Generating and propagating 3D organoid cultures.
Downstream cell-based assays like proliferation and apoptosis.
Perform routine research assays such as flow cytometry and q-PCR to validate cultures.
Develop skills in new testing platforms.
Learn new methods or techniques of 3D biology.
Follow the directions of the project manager/ program manager in the lab.
Report to the CSO and discuss your findings for the next step.
Contribute to Lab maintenance including ordering supplies, general clean up, freezer cataloguing, and maintaining lab equipment.

What we need from you

What we need from you
This is a full-time in-person position at the Houston location.
Bachelors degree in a related field.
Keen interest in learning new techniques.
Great interpersonal skills
To be motivated to keep-up with related scientific literature and progress.
Team participation and co-operation.
Commitment to job’s expectations while maintaining work-life balance.
Requirement based travel for conferences.

What you’ll bring to the team

At least one year of relevant experience.
Scientific training in cancer biology.
Skilled in cell culture downstream assay analysis
Scientific understanding of 3D models
Preferred experience in immune assays.
Work experience in an academic research lab is required.
Keep up with new research techniques.
Tissue culture expertise and experience with sterile technique is a must.
Experience in flow cytometry, microscopy, and qPCR required.
Entry and maintenance of lab notes and related documents.

Company Benefits

Competitive salary.
Generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision health coverage.
Excellent training and development.
Opportunity to grow within the company.
An exciting career within a fast paced and dynamic biotech business.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Spanios advocates for positive change and conscious inclusion.
We strive to create a diverse Spanios family by remaining committed to the development of our culture, equality, mindset, diversity & inclusion in the workplace.
As a growing employer with international goals, we recognize the value in having an organization that is a true reflection and representation of our society today. All applicants welcome.

Sounds exciting? Get in touch today!

Full Job Description

As a growing and novel business, we employ a talented and strategically curated team of individuals, located in cancer research and development hubs located in the USA.

Science, Agility and Culture are the core components that define Spanios. Highly motivated and talented individuals join Spanios because we are a scientifically innovative member of the drug development community, driven by an unswerving belief that cancer patients need better therapies proven faster and provided sooner.

What you’ll be doing

This job is suitable for a responsible, skilled individual who can oversee initial scientific customer/prospect facing discussions to provide scientific support to field sales and business development team-members and contractors working in their individual territories. This position will need a person with great research and writing skills to independently develop Statement of Work (SOW) for the client’s research & development based on client responses to our SOW questionnaire. You will be the primary interface with the BD Team in providing Initial scientific presentations and discussions; assisting with identifying best scientific positional ideas; and, co-developing the SOW’s with a client/prospect for submitting to the CSO for final approval.

You will also be required to provide on-site support and specific conferences, shows, exhibitions and summits necessitating travels internationally as needed.

You will be required to stay abreast of oncological developments, scientific challenges, and therapeutic modalities across the solid tumor pharmaceutical discovery arena.

A day in your work life might include…

SOW writing by performing research on the needs of the client.
Independently writing the initial drafts of the Scope Of Work (SOW).
Leading the scientific presentation (either F2F or virtual) of our 3D tumoroid platforms as the Subject Matter Expert.
Corresponding to clients, prospects and BD & Scientific Team questions via email, calls, Slack, tracking tools, and other.
Analysis and documentation related to project (s) and record keeping in the CRM.
Reporting the progress on the SOW’s under your supervision.
Communicating the progress and updates on the project to the CCO, CSO and or COO.
Supporting of BD Team at local vendor shows, lunch-and-learns, and visits with prospects

What we need from you

This is a full-time in-person position.
Skilled in cancer models; oncological investigations and therapeutic approaches.
Experience in writing grants, reports independently. Preferred experience in writing Scope(s) Of Work (SOW)
Ability to develop a strongly cohesive Scope of Work based upon discussions with a client/prospect and present the SOW’s for feedback to the CSO and/or COO.
Willingness to research a company’s website, people, pipeline and science to better position Spanios during presentations and conversations with individuals within that company.
Ability to hold professional scientific conversations with Heads of Research, CSO and other senior level scientists working in pharmaceutical research and development.
Willingness to understand Spanios’ core capabilities and processes and offer suggestions for improvement where feasible.
Team Leadership and training of BD Team-members enabling them to understand the science at a higher level.
Team participation in weekly scheduled team calls providing updates as required
Ability to develop a strongly cohesive Scope of Work based upon discussions with a client/prospect and present the SOW’s for feedback to the CSO and/or COO.
Be a Customer Advocate to ensure we can deliver accurately on any given project.
To be motivated to keep-up with related scientific literature and progress.
Documentation of all conversations and client-facing activities into SFDC
Commitment to job expectations while maintaining work-life balance.
Requirement-based travel for conferences and meetings. Occasional for field support and educational development of BD personnel.

What you’ll bring to the team

Ph.D. in a related field.
5+ years of relevant experience in cancer biology.
Experience with 2D, 3D and animal model systems is a plus. Experience in organoids is preferred.
Deep understanding and knowledge of cancer biology, immunology, cell and tissue culture techniques, cancer and immune-cell biomarkers, flow cytometry, IHC/IFC microscopy, immunophenotyping, spatial profiling, sequencing methodologies, and related approaches.
Excellent maintenance of notes and related documents.
Leadership skills.
Responsibility and accountability on the project scopes under your supervision.

Company Benefits

Competitive salary.
Generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision health coverage.
Excellent training and development.
Opportunity to grow within the company.
An exciting career within a fast paced and dynamic biotech business.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Spanios advocates for positive change and conscious inclusion.
We strive to create a diverse Spanios family by remaining committed to the development of our culture, equality, mindset, diversity & inclusion in the workplace.
As a growing employer with international goals, we recognize the value in having an organization that is a true reflection and representation of our society today. All applicants are welcome.

Careers

Our team is growing!

Job Openings

Sounds exciting? Get in touch today!

Sounds exciting? Get in touch today!

Sounds exciting? Get in touch today!

Sounds exciting? Get in touch today!

Sounds exciting? Get in touch today!

Apply Today!

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