Recipient: Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI)
Funding: GO-Bio initial conceptual phase 4  (01/10/2023 to 30/09/2024, EUR 99,905.22)

Project description:

CAR cell therapeutics represent a breakthrough innovation for cancer therapy. In this process immune cells are genetically modified in such a way that they form chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) on their surface and can thus specifically recognise and fight cancer cells. The structure of CAR is complex. It is individually adapted for each tumour type by testing differently structured CAR constructs in the course of a time-consuming and costly optimisation process. Fraunhofer IZI has developed a method for this purpose, a so-called ‘in-a-box screening system’, with which CAR-modified immune cells can be produced in high throughput and tested for functionality. In the future this could lead to the rapid and reliable identification of candidates for various tumour types and the acceleration of the development of new CAR cell therapeutics. In the upcoming exploratory phase a concept for the best possible use of the ‘in-a-box screening system’ is to be developed. To this end an IP strategy will be developed, the market and competition will be analysed and an implementation plan for the subsequent feasibility phase will be drawn up.