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Cell and gene therapies enable enormous progress in oncology, immunology and infectiology / New center to significantly advance the development of such therapies / Foundation fits in with the BMBF's recently published strategy

The Medical Center - University of Freiburg officially founded the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy Freiburg (CGF) on June 26, 2024. This new center bundles scientific and clinical activities in the field of cell and gene therapy and aims to improve treatment options for patients and advance research in this field. Such therapies have particularly great potential in oncology, immunology, infectiology and rare diseases. The foundation fits in with the recently developed National Strategy for Gene- and Cell-Based Therapies, which was presented to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) on June 12, 2024.

"The field of cell and gene therapy is currently undergoing a revolutionary development. We can already use it to treat cancer patients for whom no other treatment is effective," says Prof. Dr. Toni Cathomen, Director of the Institute of Transfusional Medicine and Genetherapy at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and spokesperson for the new center. "By founding the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, we are pooling our scientific and clinical strengths and developing them further in a targeted manner. This will help us to make significant progress in the treatment of serious diseases," said Cathomen.

Goals and tasks of the new center

"The aim is to establish Freiburg as a leading location for cell and gene therapy and to strengthen international cooperation in this field. We will coordinate research and clinical studies for children and adults at the center," said Prof. Dr. Tobias Feuchtinger, Medical Director of the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Medical Director of the CGF.

"The Center for Cell and Gene Therapy will have an internal impact, but will also gain national and international recognition," says Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "With the new center, we will develop and advance innovative cell and gene therapies 'Made in Freiburg'," says Wenz.

Experts from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg were also involved in the National Strategy for Gene- and Cell-Based Therapies, which was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and presented on June 12. "With the foundation, we are implementing precisely these recommendations," says Wenz.

Innovative research and international networking

The focus of the center's work includes the treatment of tumor patients with immune cell therapies such as CAR T-cells and the development of T-cells to combat virus-infected cells. Genetic modification of blood stem cells to create an HIV-resistant immune system will also be an important project. These projects are financed by third-party funds and are to be tested in clinical trials in the near future.

As an interdisciplinary forum, the CGF will coordinate the academic development and implementation of clinical trials of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). In addition, research and clinical conferences will be organized to promote the exchange of knowledge and experience. A sustainable network for the further development of cell and gene therapy will be established to strengthen the position of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg as a leading center for innovative medical research and treatment.