The Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, the University Medical Center Magdeburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) in Leipzig have agreed on a strategic partnership. The collaboration is expected to bring innovative cell and gene therapies from research to GMP-compliant manufacturing to clinical application much faster.

The partners are dovetailing the development of new therapeutic approaches, their production according to the highest quality standards and the conduct of clinical trials more closely than before. The focus is primarily on CAR-based Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (CAR-ATMP). In these methods, immune cells are genetically modified in such a way that they can specifically recognize and destroy cancer cells. Such therapies open up new options for patients with advanced cancer or severe autoimmune diseases for whom conventional treatments fail.

The cooperation uses the complementary strengths of the institutions. The University Medical Center Magdeburg contributes clinical expertise and translational immunomonitoring. Fraunhofer IZI brings many years of experience in application-oriented research as well as in the GMP-compliant production of innovative biotherapeutics. Joint clinical trials in early and late phases are planned, as well as a systematic analysis of patients’ immunological responses to the new therapies.

The partnership thus strengthens Magdeburg as a location where cutting-edge medical research is consistently translated into new therapies for patients. It was particularly emphasized that the successful work of Prof. Dr. med. Stephan Fricke at Fraunhofer IZI will now also be continued at the University Medical Center Magdeburg. Fricke is Professor of Clinical Immunology and Cell Therapeutics in Magdeburg and Director of Clinical Transfer at Fraunhofer IZI and combines the two institutions.

The Medical Faculty of the University of Magdeburg sees the cooperation as a strategic expansion of its competencies at the interface of immunology and innovative therapeutic methods. Fraunhofer IZI emphasized that cell and gene therapies are among the key technologies of modern medicine and that close integration of university research, technological development and regulatory production is indispensable for transfer into clinical practice.

The agreement is part of the funded SaxoCell® cluster and is in line with the Federal Government’s National Strategy for Cell and Gene Therapies. It is intended to further consolidate the structures established in Central Germany in the field of cell and gene therapy, enable joint third-party funded projects, promote young scientists and expand translational research and care services.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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