DeepTech in Glioblastoma Symposium, co-organised with PSCC

Post event report:

More than 100 participants – clinicians, researchers, biotechs, medtechs, pharma companies, investors, patients and institutional stakeholders – came together to take stock of scientific and technological advances in glioblastoma and to explore new synergies across the ecosystem.

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Highlights of the day

Opening keynote – Prof. Antoine Carpentier (AP-HP)

• Reminder of the high unmet medical need in glioblastoma (5-year survival < 5%).
• Key obstacles: blood–brain barrier, tumour heterogeneity, immunosuppressive microenvironment.
• Recent innovations and ongoing trials: BBB disruption (ultrasound, nanoparticles), immunotherapies, therapeutic vaccines, CAR-T cells.

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Pitch Session #1 – Tumor Access / Moderated by Prof. Ahmed Idbaih

• TheraSonic and CarThera: temporary opening of the BBB using ultrasound.
• Vect-Horus: molecular vectors targeting the BBB.
• Innov’nCare: patented peptide targeting cancer stem cells.
• Robeauté: microrobots for minimally invasive neurosurgery.

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Panel #1 – Regulatory and Methodological Innovations / Moderated by Prof. François Ducray

• France as a major player in GBM clinical research.
• Facilitating regulatory developments in Europe and France.
• New trial designs and alternative endpoints (quality of life).
• Importance of early dialogue with regulatory agencies and patients.

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Pitch Session #2 – Improving current treatments / Moderated by Dr. Aurélie Tchoghandjian

Innovations across the patient pathway:

• During / around surgery:

o Targeted destruction of residual tumor cells by phototherapy (Hemerion)
o Inhibition of tumor N-glycosylation (Phost’In)
o Anti-TERT therapeutic vaccine (Altevax – Phase II)

• Alternatives or complements to radiotherapy:

o Nanocarriers loaded with paclitaxel + radioenhancer gold nanoparticles (Orinova)
o Magnetic alternatives to radiotherapy (SuperBranche)

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Keynote – Sandrine Courtès (Lab2Biotech)

• GBM market: high unmet medical need, limited competition, high societal costs justifying premium pricing.
• Renewed industrial interest (GSK, Servier, Sanofi, Roche, BioNTech…).
• 40% increase in GBM investments since 2020.

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Panel #2 – Investment and Collaboration Perspectives / Moderated by Inès Dubreuil (AC Berda)

• Importance of clearly defining regulatory status (drug vs device).
• Early co-development strategies with industry.
• Servier Venture Fund and Hack for Hope: acceleration levers for GBM projects.

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Co-organised by PSCC and Brain & Mind, this event is  dedicated to accelerating innovation in glioblastoma through cutting-edge deeptech solutions.

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Save the date and meet us :  

🗓 on Thursday, January 22, 2026

‍⏰ from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

‍📍at Campus Grand Parc – The Hive, 116 Rue Edouard Vaillant, 94800 Villejuif(Metro Line 14 – Villejuif-Gustave Roussy)

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It’s a unique opportunity to meet with :

- innovative start-ups in the field of neuro-oncology  

-leading pharmaceutical companies,

- regulatory experts

- and partners supporting neuro-oncology innovations

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The program includes a series of expert presentations, successive pitches from promising start-ups, a networking-friendly lunch, and business meetings in the early afternoon.

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We are looking forward to welcoming you to this event, and remain at your disposal for any questions.

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