Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology in Leipzig celebrates its 20th anniversary

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Leipzig, April 29, 2025: The Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) marked its 20th anniversary in Leipzig, celebrating the milestone with over 400 guests and employees. Invited had been representatives from academia, industry, and politics The event included congratulatory messages from Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer and Leipzig’s Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung, among others.

Person in cleanroom protective clothing pipettes
© Fraunhofer IZI
Working in the cleanroom
Large machine in a research laboratory
© Fraunhofer IZI
Prototype plant for vaccine production
Timeline from the founding of the institute to 2025
© Fraunhofer IZI

Founded in 2005 with an initial team of 16 employees, the institute began its work in laboratory and office spaces at Leipzig’s BioCity. Its mission centered on bridging the gap between medically relevant basic research and clinical practice through applied biomedical research.

The first decade saw rapid growth, the establishment of a modern research infrastructure, and the development of a diverse portfolio of expertise. Early research focused on regenerative medicine technologies, immune-mediated and degenerative diseases, and vaccine development. Expansion followed with the creation of branch facilities in Rostock (2011) and Halle (Saale) (2013), and the incorporation of the Potsdam-Golm site in 2014, which added expertise in extracorporeal technologies, molecular drug development, and bioanalytics. After a consolidation phase, the institute strategically refocused its efforts in 2018 on immuno-oncology and infection pathology. Today, the Fraunhofer IZI employs approximately 600 people and manages an annual project volume of around €40 million.

The Fraunhofer IZI develops, optimizes and validates processes, materials and products for biotechnological, pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, clinics, diagnostic laboratories and academic research institutions across its core business units Cell and Gene Therapy, Drugs and Vaccines, Molecular and Immunodiagnostics and Extracorporeal Therapies.

The institute gained international recognition through its role in producing clinical investigational medicinal products for the landmark clinical trial that led to the first European approval of CAR-T cell therapy. This achievement marked a milestone in modern oncology. To date, the institute’s GMP-compliant cleanroom facilities have manufactured over 600 CAR-T cell products for clinical trials

Another breakthrough is the development of low-energy electron irradiation (LEEI) technology for pathogen inactivation. This innovation enables more efficient and cost-effective production of inactivated vaccines and holds promise for applications such as irradiating immune cells in cell-based immunotherapies.

Additionally, Fraunhofer IZI has contributed to over 100 R&D projects, consistently driving advancements in next-generation medical solutions. 

Invited guests from research, business and politics as well as employees took part in the celebratory event to mark the 20th anniversary of the Fraunhofer IZI.
© Fraunhofer IZI
Invited guests from research, business and politics as well as employees took part in the celebratory event to mark the 20th anniversary of the Fraunhofer IZI.
In his welcoming address, Leipzig's Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung congratulated the Fraunhofer IZI on its successful development and praised the institute's impact on Leipzig as a business location. At the same time, he expressed his thanks and appreciation to the institute's founder, Prof Dr Frank Emmrich, for his commitment and determination in establishing Leipzig's first Fraunhofer Institute.
© Fraunhofer IZI
In his welcoming address, Leipzig's Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung congratulated the Fraunhofer IZI on its successful development and praised the institute's impact on Leipzig as a business location. At the same time, he expressed his thanks and appreciation to the institute's founder, Prof Dr Frank Emmrich, for his commitment and determination in establishing Leipzig's first Fraunhofer Institute.
In his video message, Professor Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, offered his warmest congratulations on the institute's 20th anniversary.
© Fraunhofer IZI
In his video message, Professor Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, offered his warmest congratulations on the institute's 20th anniversary.
(from left to right): Michael Kretschmer (Minister President of the Free State of Saxony), Prof Dr Dr Ulrike Köhl (Institute Director of Fraunhofer IZI), Burkhard Jung (Lord Mayor of the City of Leipzig), Prof Dr Frank Emmrich (Founding Director of Fraunhofer IZI), Prof Dr Christoph Josten (Medical Director of Leipzig University Hospital)
© Fraunhofer IZI
(from left to right): Michael Kretschmer (Minister President of the Free State of Saxony), Prof Dr Dr Ulrike Köhl (Institute Director of Fraunhofer IZI), Burkhard Jung (Lord Mayor of the City of Leipzig), Prof Dr Frank Emmrich (Founding Director of Fraunhofer IZI), Prof Dr Christoph Josten (Medical Director of Leipzig University Hospital)
Institute Director Prof Dr Dr Ulrike Köhl took the opportunity to thank all employees for their contribution to the institute's goals. Special thanks naturally went to her predecessor Prof Dr Frank Emmrich, who founded the institute in 2005, built it up and successfully managed it both economically and scientifically until the handover of the institute's management in 2017/2018. Köhl continued this development just as successfully and focussed the research profile on the areas of immuno-oncology and infection pathology.
© Fraunhofer IZI
Institute Director Prof Dr Dr Ulrike Köhl took the opportunity to thank all employees for their contribution to the institute's goals. Special thanks naturally went to her predecessor Prof Dr Frank Emmrich, who founded the institute in 2005, built it up and successfully managed it both economically and scientifically until the handover of the institute's management in 2017/2018. Köhl continued this development just as successfully and focussed the research profile on the areas of immuno-oncology and infection pathology.
In his statement, Minister President Michael Kretschmer addressed the importance of non-university biomedical research for the Free State of Saxony and discussed the significance of research and development for Saxony as a business location. Founding Director Prof. Dr Frank Emmrich emphasised how important the will and support of local and regional politicians were in establishing and shaping an institute of this size.
© Fraunhofer IZI
In his statement, Minister President Michael Kretschmer addressed the importance of non-university biomedical research for the Free State of Saxony and discussed the significance of research and development for Saxony as a business location. Founding Director Prof. Dr Frank Emmrich emphasised how important the will and support of local and regional politicians were in establishing and shaping an institute of this size.