Fraunhofer IZI - Press Releases Fraunhofer IZI - Press Releases https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de englisch News presse@izi.fraunhofer.de Fraunhofer IZI 1 Fraunhofer IZI https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/izi/izi.png https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de 258px 72px Fighting cancer with superpowers: Fraunhofer IZI to feature two exhibits on CAR-T cell therapy at MS Wissenschaft 2026 https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/fraunhofer-izi-to-feature-two-exhibits-on-car-t-cell-therapy-at-ms-wissenschaft-2026.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/fraunhofer-izi-to-feature-two-exhibits-on-car-t-cell-therapy-at-ms-wissenschaft-2026.html
The theme of Science Year 2026 is “Medicine of the Future.” At MS Wissenschaft, the floating science center touring Germany and Austria from May 7 to September 30, this year’s focus is on how researchers are already developing the medicine of tomorrow.
]]> 11 May 2026 11:58:00 GMT Fraunhofer IZI Spin-off PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH Awarded VORSPRUNG Business Prize https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/fraunhofer-izi-spin-off-periotrap-pharmaceuticals-gmbh-awarded-vorsprung-business-prize.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/fraunhofer-izi-spin-off-periotrap-pharmaceuticals-gmbh-awarded-vorsprung-business-prize.html PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH received the VORSPRUNG Business Prize on May 5. The Fraunhofer IZI spin-off develops microbiome-based solutions for the prevention of gum disease.]]> 06 May 2026 09:44:00 GMT Center of Excellence to engineer advanced cell therapies https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/center-of-excellence-to-engineer-advanced-cell-therapies.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/center-of-excellence-to-engineer-advanced-cell-therapies.html Kytopen, T-CURX, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI establish a Center of Excellence to develop advanced, non-viral cell therapies. The Center of Excellence will serve as a hub for innovation in non-viral cell therapy development, focusing on scalable, efficient, and clinically robust manufacturing processes. ]]> 30 Apr 2026 08:50:00 GMT EASYGEN Consortium Relying on Virus-Free Minicircle Technology for Faster CAR-T Manufacturing https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/easygen-consortium-relying-on-virus-free-minicircle-technology-for-faster-car-t-manufacturing.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/easygen-consortium-relying-on-virus-free-minicircle-technology-for-faster-car-t-manufacturing.html As part of the recently concluded strategic partnership between the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI and PlasmidFactory GmbH, the Fresenius-led EASYGEN consortium is appearing as a cooperation partner for the first time. The goal of EASYGEN is to establish a faster, more efficient, and virus-free manufacturing process for CAR-T cells directly at the patients' treatment site. For this purpose, the consortium partners will, among other things, utilize the minicircle technology of PlasmidFactory GmbH.]]> 29 Apr 2026 09:17:00 GMT Accelerating the Development of Cell and Gene Therapies https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/accelerating-the-development-of-cell-and-gene-therapies.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/accelerating-the-development-of-cell-and-gene-therapies.html To accelerate the transition of new cell and gene therapies from research to clinical application, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg University Hospital, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI have entered into a strategic partnership.]]> 24 Mar 2026 12:54:00 GMT Dr. Kristin Reiche appointed Professor of Digital Molecular Medicine at IT:U https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/dr-kristin-reiche-appointed-professor-of-digital-molecular-medicine-at-itu.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/dr-kristin-reiche-appointed-professor-of-digital-molecular-medicine-at-itu.html
On February 1, 2026, Dr. Kristin Reiche, Head of the Medical Bioinformatics Department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, was appointed Professor of Digital Molecular Medicine at the Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U).
]]> 11 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT Innovative approach to minimising severe side effects after blood stem cell transplantation reaches important milestone https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/innovative-approach-to-minimising-severe-side-effects-after-blood-stem-cell-transplantation-reaches-important-milestone.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/innovative-approach-to-minimising-severe-side-effects-after-blood-stem-cell-transplantation-reaches-important-milestone.html Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) have developed a novel strategy for preventing severe side effects after haematopoietic cell transplantation – a key treatment method for various forms of blood cancer. The results have now been published in one of the most renowned haematology journals, BLOOD.]]> 27 Jan 2026 11:55:00 GMT Targeted inhibition of periodontitis pathogens https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/targeted-inhibition-of-periodontitis-pathogens.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/targeted-inhibition-of-periodontitis-pathogens.html Periodontitis is widespread and can have serious consequences for overall health. Researchers at the Department of Drug Design and Target Validation of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI have identified a substance that selectively blocks harmful pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis without affecting other bacteria. Thereby, the natural balance of the oral microbiome is preserved. A toothpaste containing this substance is now available on the market.]]> 08 Jan 2026 12:56:00 GMT Improved predictability of treatment outcomes and side effects of personalized cancer immunotherapies https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/improved-predictability-of-treatment-outcomes-and-side-effects-of-personalized-cancer-immunotherapies.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/improved-predictability-of-treatment-outcomes-and-side-effects-of-personalized-cancer-immunotherapies.html A translational study led by Fraunhofer IZI and Leipzig University Hospital has yielded new insights into the efficacy and side effects of two CAR-T cell therapies targeting the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) in patients with refractory multiple myeloma. In particular, they wanted to find out which molecular mechanisms influence the success of treatment with such a living drug. The results have now been published in the renowned journal Cancer Cell.]]> 11 Dec 2025 10:16:00 GMT PD Dr. Sebastian Ulbert appointed Professor of Translational Infection Immunology at Leipzig University https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/sebastian-ulbert-appointed-professor-of-translational-infection-immunology-at-leipzig-university.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/sebastian-ulbert-appointed-professor-of-translational-infection-immunology-at-leipzig-university.html
On November 1, 2025, PD Dr. Sebastian Ulbert, Head of the Department of Infection Research and Diagnostics and Deputy Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, was appointed Professor of Translational Infection Immunology at Leipzig University.
]]> 28 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMT PlasmidFactory and Fraunhofer IZI join forces to advance non-viral cell and gene therapies https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/plasmidfactory-and-fraunhofer-izi-join-forces-to-advance-non-viral-cell-and-gene-therapies.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/plasmidfactory-and-fraunhofer-izi-join-forces-to-advance-non-viral-cell-and-gene-therapies.html PlasmidFactory GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to combine expertise in cell therapy process development and GMP manufacturing, aiming to accelerate non-viral cell and gene therapies for the benefit of patients.]]> 13 Oct 2025 08:44:00 GMT Prof. Dr. Stephan Fricke appointed Chair of Clinical Immunology and Cell Therapy at Magdeburg University Hospital https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/prof-dr-stephan-fricke-appointed-chair-of-clinical-immunology-and-cell-therapy-at-magdeburg-university-hospital.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/prof-dr-stephan-fricke-appointed-chair-of-clinical-immunology-and-cell-therapy-at-magdeburg-university-hospital.html
Prof. Dr. Stephan Fricke, Head of the Department of Cell and Gene Therapy Development at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, has been appointed to the new professorship in Clinical Immunology and Cell Therapy at Magdeburg University Hospital, effective October 1, 2025. At the same time, he will also assume leadership of the Institute for Clinical Immunology and Cell Therapy at the University of Magdeburg.
]]> 01 Oct 2025 11:06:00 GMT Decentralized Manufacturing of CAR-T Cell Therapeutics https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/decentralized-manufacturing-of-car-t-cell-therapeutics.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/decentralized-manufacturing-of-car-t-cell-therapeutics.html
Fraunhofer IZI is part of the EU consortium EASYGEN. Coordinated by Fresenius, 18 industrial and academic partners are working together to develop an integrated and automated manufacturing platform for the decentralized production of CAR-T cell therapeutics. In this context, Fraunhofer IZI contributes its expertise in the development and manufacturing of CAR-T cell therapies as well as various other cell-based therapeutics. EASYGEN is funded by the EU under the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU).
]]> 27 Aug 2025 09:34:00 GMT First patient in LION-1 study receives immune cell therapy against new target molecule https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/first-patient-in-lion-1-study-receives-immune-cell-therapy-against-new-target-molecule.html https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/en/press/press-releases/first-patient-in-lion-1-study-receives-immune-cell-therapy-against-new-target-molecule.html
The first patient was treated with a new CAR-T cell therapy as part of the LION-1 phase I clinical trial at the University Hospital of Würzburg.
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