COMPANY OVERVIEW
HUB Organoids (Hubrecht Organoid Technology), based in Utrecht, Netherlands, was founded in 2013 by Professor Hans Clevers, the pioneer who invented organoid technology. The company maintains the world's largest organoid biobank and was acquired by Merck KGaA in December 2024, validating organoid technology's pharmaceutical value and strategic importance.
BIOBANK CAPABILITIES
- 1,000+ Patient Lines: Diverse genetic backgrounds and disease states
- Tumor Organoids: Colorectal, pancreatic, breast, lung, ovarian, prostate cancer
- Healthy Tissue: Normal colon, liver, pancreas, stomach organoids as controls
- Cystic Fibrosis: CFTR mutation panel for drug testing (70+ mutations)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Crohn's and ulcerative colitis patient lines
CLEVERS PATENTS & TECHNOLOGY
- Foundational IP: Core organoid culture patents from Clevers lab
- Lgr5+ Stem Cells: Adult stem cell isolation and expansion methods
- R-spondin/Wnt: Growth factor protocols enabling long-term culture
- Licensing: Technology licensed to 100+ pharma and academic partners
MERCK ACQUISITION SIGNIFICANCE
The December 2024 Merck acquisition validates organoid technology for mainstream pharmaceutical R&D. Merck gains access to foundational IP, the world's largest biobank, and expertise to integrate organoids into its drug discovery pipeline across oncology, immunology, and metabolic disease.