Tackling a critical gap in pediatric oncology 

Schoonbeek’s research targets a pressing clinical challenge: children with high-risk extra-cranial solid tumors face a five-year survival rate below 50%. Quick, effective treatment decisions are crucial—but molecular profiling alone often isn’t enough to guide those choices. 

Her project, titled "Ex vivo drug sensitivity profiling to timely predict drug response in pediatric solid tumors", presents a powerful addition to the oncologist’s toolkit: rapid, functional drug screening of tumor tissue, providing a real-time picture of ex vivo tumor response to a wide range of drugs for each patient. 

A faster, personalized approach 

Using fresh tumors expanded in patient-derived xenografts, Schoonbeek and her team performed ex vivo short-term screenings across nine pediatric tumor types. Within just 14 days, they could determine individual drug sensitivity profiles, testing between 77 and 224 compounds per sample. 

The results were impressive: 94% of samples revealed at least one promising drug hit—even in cases with no clear molecular targets. This not only offers more treatment options, but does so on a timeline that could influence actual patient care. 

More than genomics: why drug screening matters 

While Schoonbeek’s work demonstrate that molecular alterations alone are poorly predicting drug response, transcriptomic biomarkers—gene expression signatures—were more predictive of sensitivity to targeted therapies. They also identified specific growth-rate dependencies for drug classes like topoisomerase and cytoskeleton inhibitors. 

This could be a game-changer: a method that’s fast, reliable, and clinically applicable, even in the absence of extensive molecular data—bringing hope and options to patients with few. Currently, this method is expanded including fresh patient samples. Together, this shows how functional profiling can complement genomics—broadening treatment possibilities and enabling better-tailored therapy decisions for young cancer patients. 

Well-deserved recognition 

The I4H jury, comprised of Professor Hanneke Takkenberg of Erasmus MC, Dr Nettie Buitelaar of Biotech Booster, Dr Liana Steeghs of Genmab and Barbara Brunnhuber of BioPartner Leiden, commended Schoonbeek’s research for its clinical impact, innovation, and methodological rigor. Her project stood out in a strong field of finalists spanning areas such as AI diagnostics, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine. 

Receiving the award, Schoonbeek shared, “It’s a great honor and encouragement to keep pushing for patient-centered innovations. I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect science and real-world care.” 

As she looks ahead, Schoonbeek is eager to continue to drive patient-centered innovation. “Throughout my PhD, I’ve learned that I enjoy connecting scientific insight with softer skills like coordination, organization and strategic thinking. I thrive in environments where translational research meets strategic execution – where I can connect the right dots, shape the direction, and coordinate the process. What I love most about my PhD is the real impact for patients, and that I’m seeking in a future role after I finish my PhD. I look forward to combining content, coordination and meaningful impact, ideally within a mission-driven biotech company like Genmab.” 

With the added platform of the BioBusiness Summer School, she’s now poised to expand her impact even further—at the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and clinical application. 

Are you the next Young Academic Innovator? 

Are you a PhD candidate working on a healthcare innovation with real-world impact? Want to grow your visibility, connect with industry leaders, and be recognized for your work? 

Then apply for the I4H Young Academic Innovator Award 2026! You could win a cash prize, BioBusiness Summer School scholarship, and a feature in BiotechNEWS & Life Sciences—just like Marlinde Schoonbeek. 

Join us at Innovation for Health 2026, taking place on 26 March in Utrecht, themed "Bridging the Gap". Whether you’re closing the divide between science and patients, academia and business, or discovery and delivery—this is your stage. For more information: www.hyphenprojects.nl/i4h 

Sign up. Stand out. Start innovating.