About the Centre

The Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy is a fully funded program that will commit funds to co-develop and manufacture innovative, cell-based immunotherapy concepts with our partners for rapid translation into pilot clinical trials with potential for commercial outcomes

The Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy works to facilitate early access to practice-changing therapies for people with cancer. Through our Development Program, we partner with Australian researchers and biotech companies to collaboratively deliver globally competitive breakthroughs in CAR-T and other cellular immunotherapies. This program fast-tracks the translation of cell-based immunotherapies into proof-of-concept clinical trials, while also enabling commercialisation outcomes for Australian intellectual property (IP).

Through translation of novel cell-based immunotherapies, the Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy will facilitate early and affordable access of these practice-changing therapies for cancer patients in Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. Development of, and access to these therapies will come from increased focus and capacity of three avenues within the centre:

Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy

Building increased capabilities and capacities to advance cancer care 

The Centre is funded by a co-investment from the Federal Government, Cell Therapies Pty Ltd and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation. This capital funding has been used to increase capabilities over the Centre's 3 pillars of excellence:

  • Translational Research 
  • Manufacturing 
  • Clinical Research. 

The Centre is supported by partners in various health sectors who, in total, enable the centre to provide access to innovative patient care.

 Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy

Goals of the Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy 

  • Identify and rapidly advance novel Australian research in cell-based immunotherapy through a comprehensive translational development program

  • Increase the number and variety of advanced cellular immunotherapy clinical trials in Australia, providing more options for people living with cancer

  • Create commercial opportunities for innovative Australian research by co-developing and accelerating Australian intellectual property

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