The Normandy start-up sells tests to classify lymphomas and sarcomas. The technique developed at the cancer research unit at Centre Henri Becquerel in Rouen is intended to help improve treatment and care.
Juliette Renauld isn’t a researcher or a scientist. The 46 year old is the director of Genexpath, a Rouen start-up specialising in tests to detect different forms of cancer such as lymphomas and sarcomas, which affect children. The serial entrepreneur has founded and run several businesses over her career, but an encounter with Normandie Valorisation gave her the chance to apply the work of researchers at the INSERM U 1245 research unit (Cancer and Brain Genomics) to the real world.
Genexpath Transforms Crucial Research into Real-World Cancer Solutions …
The lab at Centre Henri Becquerel, one of 18 cancer centres in France, developed next-generation sequencing technology to detect and classify tumour genes. All that remained was to mechanise the process to bring it to cancer doctors and specialists. Juliette Renauld took up the challenge.
Aside from its economic value, the project is a real asset to healthcare professionals as it enables them to better diagnose and treat patients. It was also a unique opportunity to showcase the fantastic work that research teams do, with concrete, communicable and applicable results.
Twofold regional support
Genexpath launched in November 2020. Juliette Renauld and her team (currently 6) spent over a year making kits, writing instructions, working on quality control, the computer platform, logistics and business development for the concept. They were supported by Normandie Incubation and Normandie Valorisation, who invested in the company.
Normandie Incubation's support gave us real peace of mind. It made little adjustments to improve the company's foundation and launch every step of the way. In terms of research, intellectual property and science network, Normandie Valorisation's assistance was exactly what we needed.
Power up
Genexpath sold its first tumour classification tests in 2022. The company’s clients now include a dozen hospitals, specialist facilities and private labs, some of them overseas. “Genexpath technology is faster, more efficient and accurate than what the labs currently use,” says Juliette Renault. “Plus it’s a turnkey solution, so you don’t need any additional equipment or training.”
The start-up is fuelling its growth with a fundraising campaign (600,000 Euros in total) to expand the business and continue its R&D. Since launching, Genexpath has already brought new tests to the market, including LymphoTranscript in 2023 and the Custom Panel service to assess the gene expression level required by the user.
Like we have done from the start, we shall continue working with researchers at INSERM and Centre Henri Becquerel to explore new products and upgrade existing ones. That's what makes Genexpath so unique.
Health & innovation in Normandy
Thematics
