Timeline
2006 Research
Brachyury identified as chordoma's hallmark
UK researchers (London) find brachyury in every chordoma. It becomes the key diagnostic marker and, later, the main drug target.
2007 Foundation
Chordoma Foundation founded
Started around a kitchen table by a patient who saw the lack of resources.
2012 People
Dr. Cote begins at MGH
Kenny Brighton's uncle Mike is also diagnosed this year.
2013 Guidelines
First global consensus meeting (Milan)
Set up through ESMO. Led to the 2015 Lancet Oncology paper (40 authors, 12 countries).
2015 Guidelines
First guidelines published + patient version
Added to the ESMO guidelines. The patient version was translated into many languages.
2016 People
Dr. Bai first attends the research workshop
Start of a long collaboration between China and the NCI.
2017 People
Steve Mandel joins the CF board
2018 Research
Brachyury structure solved
A UK researcher receives a CF award for work showing brachyury's shape, a first step toward drugging it.
2019 People
Dani Pike diagnosed (age 21)
Kenny Brighton joins CF staff the same year.
2022 Research
CF lab opens (North Carolina)
About half the lab works on drug discovery. Brachyury drug discovery programs take off after this.
Early 2025 Research
TBXT Challenge launched
A prize competition inviting companies and labs anywhere to design compounds that bind brachyury.
Jun 2025 Guidelines
Milan consensus meeting
About 100 people attended in person. It produced the 2026 update (150+ authors).
2025 Community
Team Chordoma raises $100K+
175+ community participants in one year.
Nov 2025 People
Sharon passes away
Patient advocate for 20+ years. She sent 2,000-2,500 hand-painted encouragement cards.
Mar 2026 Foundation
New drug discovery lead joins CF
Comes from Boston-area biotech.
Sep 1 2026 Research
TBXT Challenge entry deadline
26 participants (22 companies, 4 academic labs), 9 countries, 4 continents.
Sep 2026 Guidelines
2026 guidelines + patient version released
JAMA Oncology. The patient version was posted on the CF site just before the conference.
Sep 11 2026 Research
First TBXT compound confirmed
Crossed the threshold in 3+ repeat tests.
Sep 18 2026 Research
Mark Foundation partnership announced
Grants for immune targeting of brachyury.
Sep 18-20 2026 Conference
ICCC 2026, Cambridge MA
You were there.
2027 Upcoming
Mark Foundation grants funded
Upcoming Upcoming
Platform trial opens (about 4-6 US sites)
Multi-arm, and fewer patients need to be randomized.
Upcoming Upcoming
Guidelines for recurrent/metastatic + pediatric
Next consensus projects.
2030 Upcoming
Strategic plan horizon
Access to care, real-world data, survivorship, and new drugs, including brachyury-targeted ones.