We took advantage of this progress to prepare an EGF-NIR bio-imaging agent according to this procedure, and evaluated its pharmacological properties for recognition of EGFR in novel CRC models in vitro, resembling tumor heterogeneity, orthotopic CRC tumors in mice and CRC tissue slices ex vivo, thus translating results from CRC cells to human tissue specimens. Here, EGF is linked to colorectal carcinoma.