Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZISaxoCell future cluster starts second funding phase
The Saxon SaxoCell future cluster is pleased to announce that it has been selected for the second funding phase by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This decision by the ministry highlights the potential, as well as the successes, of SaxoCell, the pioneering cluster for innovative cell and gene therapies.
SaxoCell brings together the expertise of leading research institutions and hospitals from Saxony, including Dresden Technical University, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), the University of Leipzig and the Chemnitz hospital. These partners are collaborating closely with regional and national industrial partners to develop novel therapy approaches which could well revolutionize the treatment of serious illnesses. The project focuses on the development of personalized and highly effective cell and gene therapies – to the benefit of patients.
“We are very proud of the trust and support of BMBF”, emphasises the cluster’s spokesperson, Prof. Ulrike Köhl, Director of IZI and of the Institute for Clinical Immunology at the University of Leipzig. “This decision confirms that we are on the right track with our approach. We specifically aimed to obtain this funding and see it as sign of appreciation of our work so far, and as confirmation and approval of our further development plans”, underlines the cluster’s spokesperson, Prof. Frank Buchholz, Professor of Medical Systems Biology at Dresden Technical University.
In the next funding phase, SaxoCell will intensify and strategically expand its research activities in gene- and cell-based treatment approaches. “In addition to the optimization of existing treatments, we increasingly rely on new partnerships with companies and other research institutions to accelerate the transfer of innovative solutions into clinical practice”, explains Saxo-Cell co-spokesperson, Prof. Uwe Platzbecker, Director of the Department of Haematology, Cell Therapy, Haemostaseology and Infectiology at the Leipzig University Hospital.
SaxoCell co-spokesperson, Prof. Martin Bornhäuser, Director of the Hospital and Clinic 1 at Carl Gustavus Carus University Hospital in Dresden, also emphasizes: “We are convinced that the progress over the coming years will make a decisive contribution to establishing Saxony as an international leader in cell and gene therapy. The successful start of the second funding phase is a crucial step in this direction.”
If you need further information, please contact: info@saxocell.de or visit our website: www.saxocell.de.
