New group leader joining the Finsen Lab and BRIC will investigate tumour evolution in response to therapeutic pressure

Ferran is a molecular biotechnologist specialising in functional genomics and translational oncology, with over a decade of international experience in cancer research across Spain, Austria, UK, and the United States. His research focus is to better understand how therapeutic pressure shapes tumor evolution and resistance in solid tumours. He now joins the Finsen Laboratory and BRIC as group leader and associate professor, and he is excited to start his new role:

“I first encountered the Finsen Lab and BRIC ten years ago and they left a lasting impression on me. Joining the Copenhagen research environment now therefore feels both exciting and like a natural step in my academic career.”

We are very pleased to welcome Ferran and look forward to following his research as he establishes and develops his group in the coming years.

Tumour evolution under therapeutic pressure

Cancer treatment remains one of the most complex and dynamic landscapes, where clonal evolution under treatment pressure continually undermines therapeutic durability.

Ferran’s long-term vision is to advance precision oncology by developing an integrated translational pipeline that combines genomics, longitudinal patient sampling, functional validation in patient-derived models, and clinical trial partnerships. The overarching goal is to deliver truly personalised treatment strategies that anticipate tumour adaptation, guide clinical decision-making, and extend patient benefit. Ferran’s research programme is driven by a central question: how do tumours evolve under therapeutic pressure, and how can we intervene to delay or prevent resistance?

A central pillar of Ferran’s research has been the use of liquid biopsies to monitor treatment response and the emergence of resistance through longitudinal analysis of serial plasma samples. He now aims to expand these efforts in Denmark by integrating real-time resistance monitoring with functional genomics and drug discovery.

This strategy closely aligns with the missions of both the Finsen Laboratory and BRIC to understand how cancers initiate, evolve, and respond to targeted therapies.

More precise and personalised treatments for patients with cancer

Denmark has one of Europe’s most active clinical trial environments and Ferran is looking forward to being a part of this scientific ecosystem and contribute with research that help healthcare professionals and society to developing more precise and personalised treatments for patients with cancer.

For example, Ferran has established a collaboration with the leadership of the Phase I Unit at Rigshospitalet to support a clinical–experimental partnership that will provide direct access to patient-derived material for laboratory-based translational studies. This collaboration will provide access to serial liquid biopsies and samples from patients enrolled in more than 50 ongoing oncology clinical trials, offering a uniquely powerful platform for studying tumour evolution and resistance mechanisms in real time.

Our academic culture is also a reason why Ferran chose to be located here:

“The Finsen Lab and BRIC offer exactly the research and innovation environment I was seeking: access to state-of-the-art technologies in-house, proximity to a leading hospital with an outstanding clinical research program, and an entrepreneurial culture that supports the translation of experimental discoveries into solutions that address real-world needs.”