Beim gemeinsamen Treffen am CRTD in Dresden standen die Arbeit von SaxoCell und SEMECO sowie Einblicke in zwei konkrete Forschungsprojekte im Mittelpunkt
Im Austausch bei „SaxoCell meets SEMECO“: SEMECO-Sprecher Prof. Dr. med. Jochen Hampe (l.) und SaxoCell-Sprecher Prof. Dr. Frank Buchholz. © EKFZ/Anja Stübner
Am 27. August 2026 kamen zwei sächsische Innovationscluster bei „SaxoCell meets SEMECO“ am Zentrum für Regenerative Therapien Dresden (CRTD) zusammen. Der SaxoCell-Sprecher und Molekularbiologe Prof. Dr. Frank Buchholz und SEMECO-Sprecher Prof. Dr. med. Jochen Hampe, Klinikdirektor der Medizinischen Klinik und Poliklinik I am Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, stellten die beiden vom BMFTR geförderten Zukunftscluster vor und gaben Einblicke in ihre jeweiligen Ziele und Forschungsschwerpunkte.
Anschließend stellten Dr. Alexandra von Jutrzenka-Trzebiatowski aus SaxoCell und Dr.-Ing. Richard Nauber aus SEMECO zwei konkrete Forschungsansätze vor. Während es bei SaxoCell um Adapter-CAR-T-Zelltherapien ging, die eine präzisere, flexiblere und sicherere Behandlung solider Tumoren ermöglichen sollen, zeigte SEMECO aktuelle Entwicklungen im Bereich tragbarer Ultraschalltechnologien. Diese sollen perspektivisch eine kontinuierliche, nicht-invasive und kostengünstige Überwachung von Vitalparametern wie dem Blutdruck ermöglichen.
Der Austausch zeigte zugleich mögliche Anknüpfungspunkte zwischen Zell- und Gentherapie, Medizintechnik und Mikroelektronik. Weitere Eindrücke von „SaxoCell meets SEMECO“ gibt es in unserer Bildergalerie.
Fotos: © EKFZ/Anja Stübner
The joint event at CRTD Dresden focused on the work of SaxoCell and SEMECO and offered insights into two concrete research project
In conversation at “SaxoCell meets SEMECO”: SEMECO spokesperson Prof. Dr. med. Jochen Hampe (left) and SaxoCell spokesperson Prof. Dr. Frank Buchholz. © EKFZ/Anja Stübner
On 27 August 2026, two Saxon innovation clusters came together for “SaxoCell meets SEMECO” at the Centre for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD). SaxoCell spokesperson and molecular biologist Prof. Dr. Frank Buchholz and SEMECO spokesperson Prof. Dr. med. Jochen Hampe, Director of the Department of Internal Medicine I at University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, introduced the two BMFTR-funded Clusters4Future and provided insights into their respective goals and research focus.
Dr. Alexandra von Jutrzenka-Trzebiatowski from SaxoCell and Dr.-Ing. Richard Nauber from SEMECO then presented two concrete research approaches. While the SaxoCell presentation focused on adapter CAR T-cell therapies designed to enable more precise, flexible and safer treatment of solid tumours, SEMECO showcased current developments in wearable ultrasound technologies. These could in future enable continuous, non-invasive and cost-efficient monitoring of vital parameters such as blood pressure.
The exchange also highlighted potential links between cell and gene therapy, medical technology and microelectronics. More impressions from “SaxoCell meets SEMECO” are available in our photo gallery.
Pictures: © EKFZ/Anja Stübner
Job Position: CEO at Biothrust
Affiliation: BioThrust
Background: He has been CEO and Co-Founder of BioThrust since April 2022, a spin-off from RWTH Aachen University. The company’s core membrane aeration technology for bioreactors was developed during his PhD research in chemical process engineering, which he completed in 2023.
Prior to this, he studied biotechnology at RWTH Aachen University (M.Sc.) and at FH Aachen (B.Sc.).
He was awarded the Borchers Plaque in 2024 and won the Innovation Award of the German BioRegions in 2023.
He lives in his hometown of Neuss and was born in 1969.
Job Position: Postdoc at Institute of Immunology, TU Dresden Coordinator, NCT Immune Monitoring Unit Dresden
Affiliation:
Background: Rebekka Wehner graduated in biology, did her Ph.D. and habilitation on dendritic cells. In the Institute of Immunology, medical faculty, TU Dresden, her research focuses on human immune cells like dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages, natural killer cells, and T cells in the context of anti-tumor immune responses and therapies. Since 2016, she coordinates the NCT/UCC Immune Monitoring Unit Dresden, which offers an accompanying immune monitoring program during clinical studies. She supports the characterization of immune cells in blood, bone marrow, and tissues of tumor patients using multiplex flow cytometry and fluorescence-based immunohistochemistry.
Job Position: Chief Medical Officer of FamiCord
Affiliation: FamiCord AG
Background: Tomasz Baran is Chief Medical Officer of FamiCord – the largest cord blood bank in Europe and 3rd largest worldwide. He joined cord blood banking activity in 2010, prior to that he has been holding various position in pharmaceutical industry. In his current role Tomasz is responsible for medical communication on stem cell banking and use in therapies. He presented this topic on several international events – including Cord Blood Connect (USA), Perinatal Stem Cell Conference (USA) and Advanced Therapies (UK). Tomasz is also involved in development of cell&gene therapies manufacturing activity of FamiCord. Tomasz Baran serves ad Board of Directors member at Cord Blood Association (currently incorporated into AABB).
Job Position: Driving Multimodal AI in Precision Medicine
Affiliation: Fraunhofer IZI
Background: Ulrike Weirauch studied Molecular Life Science at the University of Lübeck and completed her doctorate in the research group of Achim Aigner at the Biochemical-Pharmacological Center of Philipps University Marburg in the field of cancer research.
She subsequently worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Independent Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the Rudolf Boehm Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Leipzig University.
Since 2021, she has been working as a scientist and science manager with Kristin Reiche in the Department of Medical Bioinformatics at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell The
Job Position: Director of CREATIC CoE
Affiliation: Centre of Excellence CREATIC (Central European Advanced Therapy and Immunotherapy Centre), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Background: Dr. Regina Demlová (MD, PhD) is a clinical pharmacologist specializing in oncology and personalized therapies including ATMPs. She is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, where she also serves as Head of the Department of Pharmacology. For over a decade, she has been a leading figure in the development of academic clinical research in the Czech Republic, having established and currently leading the national clinical research infrastructure CZECRIN and the Centre of Excellence CREATIC, dedicated to the research, development, GMP production, clinical trials, and regulatory aspects of advanced cell and gene therapies.
Job Position: Managing director of BioM
Affiliation: BioM
Background: Prof. Dr. Ralf Huss is managing director of BioM in Martinsried/Munich. Until the end of 2022, he was founding Director of the Institute of Digital Medicine (IDM) and Prof. of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics at University Hospital Augsburg, Germany. Previously he spent many years in pharmaceutical and diagnostic industry, founded some biotech enterprises and authored more than 180 papers on cancer and stem cell research as well as the use on AI in digital medicine.
Job Position: Director of the MK1 Clinic at University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden.
Affiliation: CRTD
Background: Throughout his clinical career Prof. Bornhäuser has focussed on translational research studies in the area of acute myeloid leukaemia and hematopoietic cell transplantation. He was one of the founding members of the Center of Regenerative Therapy Dresden (www.crt-dresden.de) and developed additional expertise in the areas of stem cell biology and adoptive cellular therapy. Professor Bornhäuser has a portfolio of responsibilities encompassing clinical service, being head of the Good manufacturing laboratories, coordinating translational reseach, lecturer in medical studies and in a master course for regenerative medicine and is an elected member of the internal medical faculty in Dresden. In 2015 he became a visiting professor at the department of haematology at King’s College London, UK. In 2016, he joined the directorate of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (www.nct-dresdden.de) in Dresden.
Job Position: COO at T-CURX
Affiliation: T-CURX
Background: Marion Jung is a molecular biologist who earned her doctorate at LMU Munich under Nobel Prize laureate Svante Pääbo. She has more than 20 years of experience in building and scaling biotechnology companies.
As co-founder and CEO of ChromoTek, she led the company through its successful acquisition by Proteintech Group in 2020. Following the acquisition, she assumed leadership roles at Proteintech and, beginning in 2024, became COO of T-CURX, a CAR-T immunotherapy start-up.
In addition, she brings extensive expertise in venture capital (including work with Earlybird), innovation policy, and government advisory through her participation in committees such as the Hightech-Forum and the German High-Tech Gründerfonds.
Job Position: Moderator
Affiliation: LMU
Background: Isabel Werdin is a professional moderator for events, television and podcasts with over 16 years of experience in communication and event moderation. She studied psychology, communication studies and cultural studies in Munich (LMU) and Sydney, Australia (University of New South Wales).
At the Technical University of Munich (TUM), she spent six years in science communication and management, working at the interface of cutting-edge research and technology, and hosting several conferences.
Isabel Werdin moderates events, networking forums, and panel discussions in German and English, particularly in the fields of science, (mental) health, AI and innovation. Her interview and stage guests have included Nobel laureates, founders of unicorn start-ups, professional athletes, top executives and leading political figures.
As a certified team trainer and public speaking coach, she also provides presentation training. With a clear eye for individual strengths, Isabel supports and connects executives on their journey — always with the aim of communicating with focus, authenticity and charisma.
Job Position: Head of Biology & Applications at Green Elephant Biotech
Affiliation: Green Elephant Biotech
Background: With over a decade of experience in stem cell biology, disease modeling, and cell therapy, she specializes in leading interdisciplinary collaborations to advance sustainable biotechnological innovations. At Green Elephant Biotech, she focuses on strategic partnerships and securing funding to promote scalable and accessible cell and gene therapies through innovative technology for dynamic adherent cell manufacturing.
Her expertise includes innovation management, strategic planning, grant proposal development, and stakeholder engagement. By collaborating closely with management, R&D, and commercial teams, she contributes to driving impactful solutions for the organization while fostering scientific communication and representation at global conferences.
Job Position: Future Founder of SMART-NK Therapeutics
Affiliation: SMART-NK Therapeutics
Background: He has a strong background in immunology and as a postdoctoral fellow he joined the group of Prof. Torsten Tonn and worked on understanding the immunological synapse of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells and dissecting cancer cell resistance to NK cell-based cell therapies.
Job Position: CMO at Cancilico
Affiliation: Cancilico
Background:
Job Position: Chief Technology Officer
Affiliation: Seamless Therapeutics, Dresden
Background: Felix Lansing is a scientific co-founder and currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer. The foundation of the technology used at Seamless originated from Dr Lansing’s research and discovery of programmable recombinases during his PhD studies at Dresden University of Technology. He is an author of many peer-reviewed publications, an inventor on 7 patents, and is dedicated to leveraging his expertise to address how programmable recombinases can be applied to solve genetic disease and improve the lives of patients. He earned his BSc in Molecular Biology from Bielefeld University, his MSc in Regenerative Biology and Medicine and his PhD in genetics and genome engineering at the Dresden University of Technology.
Job Position: Chief Business Officer
Affiliation: TQ Therapeutics GmbH
Background: Christin Zündorf is Chief Business Officer at TQ Therapeutics responsible for commercial, organizational & strategic topics. With previously over eight years of experience in strategic consulting across the pharmaceutical and life science industry, her expertise lies in commercial strategy and organization design with deep knowledge in commercial strategy, launch excellence, pricing and market access.
Job Position: Co-Founder & President
Affiliation: NanoVation Therapeutics (NVTx)
Background: Dr. Dominik Witzigmann is an entrepreneurial scientist and 2024 Highly Cited Researcher, recognizing him among the world’s most influential researchers in nucleic acid delivery. He held research positions at leading institutions (safety/tox, RNAi & cancer, targeted DNA delivery, RNA-based genome editing) and joined Prof. Pieter Cullis to focus on extrahepatic RNA delivery. He has held leadership roles in Canada’s NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN) and served on the Board of the CRS Gene Delivery and Genome Editing Focus Group. Dominik co-founded NanoVation Therapeutics to advance next-generation LNP technologies for enabling genetic medicines.
Job Position: Technical Specialist
Affiliation: Sino Biological Europe GmbH
Background: PhD Scientist with 2 years of intensive industry experience in the full lifecycle of biopharmaceutical development. Technical lead for high-value projects encompassing stable cell line development (CLD), antibody discovery, and recombinant protein expression. Proven track record in designing integrated Upstream-to Downstream strategies, conducting advanced protein characterization and providing expert technical consultation to international clients to ensure project succes
Job Position: Director, Cellular Immunotherapy, Massachusetts General Hospital; Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate Director, Gene and Cell Therapy Institute, Mass-General-Brigham; Attending Physician, Hematopoietic Cell Transplant & Cell Therapy Program; Associate Member, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Affiliation: Krantz Family Center for Center Research; Paula O’Keefe Endowed Chair in Cancer Research; Massachusetts General Hospital
Background: Dr. Marcela Maus is the Paula J. O’Keeffe Endowed Chair at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Director of the Cellular Immunotherapy Program, and Professor at Harvard Medical School, where she leads a laboratory focused on advancing CAR T cell therapies for cancer. Trained at MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, she has made pioneering contributions to the development of CAR T cells, including research on treatment resistance and therapy-related toxicities. Alongside her scientific and clinical work, she mentors the next generation of researchers and enjoys family life with her husband, three children, and pets, as well as hobbies like gardening and skiing.
Job Position: Professor, Retinal Stem Cell Research and Neurogenesis
Affiliation: TUD Dresden University of Technology, CRTD – Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden und Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e.V. (DZNE) Dresden
Background: Prof. Dr. med. Mike O. Karl is a group leader at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and professor at the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden. His research focuses on human retina degeneration and therapy, with a particular emphasis on photoreceptor neurodegeneration, glia biology, and human stem cell–derived cell and organoid technologies as disease and therapy‐validation models. He has made key contributions to understanding cellular mechanisms of retinal degeneration and to the development of human-based translational model systems for age-related macular degeneration and inherited retinal diseases. His work has been recognized by multiple awards in ophthalmology and regenerative medicine, and he actively bridges fundamental discovery with translational and therapeutic innovation.
Job Position: BPS Business Development & Licensing Manager
Affiliation: Cytiva
Background: Martin Rabel, Ph.D., leads Cytiva’s BioPharma Services in EMEA, with a focus on RNA‑LNP technologies and CDMO solutions. He supports nucleic acid therapy development through Cytiva’s lipid nanoparticle platform and integrated development, analytical, and manufacturing services. With a background in Pharmacy and Nanomedicine, he drives innovation across the biopharma landscape while delivering scientific and commercial excellence.
Job Position: Managing Director
Affiliation: BioMedTech Consulting GmbH
Background: Lorenz Mayr is an internationally experienced executive in the biopharmaceutical and life sciences sector, most recently serving as CEO of Vector BioPharma AG in Basel. Previously, he held senior leadership positions at GE Healthcare, AstraZeneca, Novartis, and Bayer, and serves on several supervisory boards and scientific advisory boards.
Since March 2024, he has been a Non-Executive Director at FundaMental Pharma GmbH, a Heidelberg-based company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, he serves as Senior Healthcare Advisor at EQT Investments and advises companies and institutions in the life sciences sector.
Job Position: Deputy director of the NCT/UCC Early Clinical Trial Unit
Affiliation: Early Clinical Trial Unit, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus affiliated to the National Center for Tumor Diseases – NCT/UCC
Background: Katrin Wetzko is a hematologist/oncologist by training and deputy director of the NCT/UCC Early Clinical Trial Unit. She has over 10 years of experience in running well over 100 phase I trials in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. She and the team of the NCT/UCC ECTU were among the first to apply chimeric antigen receptor T-cells in Germany and pioneered the use of TCR-engineered T-cells in solid tumors. Dr Wetzko led the establishment of the tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) program at the NCT/UCC ECTU and treated more than 50 patients with this modality. She is an expert on early drug development and safety management in next generation immunotherapeutics.
Job Position: Professor for Immunology
Affiliation: University of Konstanz
Background: Kathrin Schumann studied biochemistry at the University of Tübingen and obtained her PhD at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried. During her postdoc at the University of California, San Francisco, she developed CRISPR technologies for the engineering of primary human T cells. In 2018, she was appointed as Rudolf Mößbauer Tenure Track Assistant Professor of “Engineering Immune Cells for Therapy” at TUM School of Medicine. In 2025, she took up the position of Chair of Immunology at the University of Konstanz.
Job position: Director Emerging Applications SynBio
Affiliation: Twist Bioscience
Background: Julian Jude is the Global Director of Emerging Applications at Twist Bioscience. His career spans functional genomics, genome engineering, and technological development in academia and industry. He developed shRNA and CRISPR screening platforms, conducted over 70 genome-wide FGX screens, co-created the Vienna Bioactivity gRNA algorithm, and established a CROP-Seq platform at a startup. Before joining Twist in 2019, he advised scientists worldwide on custom workflows and built strategic partnerships. After a brief role in AI-metagenomics as Genome Engineering Lead at Basecamp Research, where he built novel nucleases, he returned to Twist in 2024, combining his deep expertise in functional genomics with a passion for emerging technologies and Twist’s synthetic DNA capabilities to help accelerate discoveries across the life sciences.
Job Position: Consultant CMC
Affiliation: Consulting unit of hVIVO
Background: Ion Tcacencu, MD, PhD holds a doctorate from Karolinska Institutet in regenerative medicine and brings over 17 years of academic expertise in cell and tissue engineering. After transitioning into industry to lead quality and manufacturing at a cell therapy startup, he joined hVIVO as a CMC consultant. He supports academic ATMP developers with regulatory strategy, CMC development, market landscape analysis, and GMP-ready programmes — as well as technical due diligence for investors.
Job Position: Prof. for Rxperimental and Clinical CAR T Cell Therapy, Head of CAR T Cell Program
Affiliation: Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Dept. Of Internal Medicine 5 – Hematology & Oncology
Background: Prof. Müller obtained his MD in Freiburg, Germany and started his clinical education in Hamburg. With a focus on targeting malignant B cells from his early research career he did a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Ira Pastan, at the NCI on resistance to CD22-targeted therapy in ALL and aggressive lymphoma. After his post-doc he continued the work on B cell targeting in Erlangen, Germany using first antibody directed therapies and then CAR T cells with a focus on translational concepts including tumor microenvironment and functional aspects of a patient’s immune system. As head of the CAR T cell unit, he pioneers CAR T cell therapies in novel indications including solid tumors and autoimmune diseases.
Job Position: Professor, Chair of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München
Background: Ernst Wagner is Chair of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department Pharmacy, LMU Munich (since 2001) and member of Munich Center of Nanoscience (CeNS). He was Director Cancer Vaccines, Boehringer Ingelheim 1992-2001 (world-wide first polymer-based gene therapy in 1994), Group Leader at IMP Vienna and the Vienna University Biocenter (1987-1995), postdoc at ETH Zurich (1985-1987), PhD in chemistry (1985, TU Vienna). He is Academician of the European Academy of Sciences, member of College of Fellows of Controlled Release Society (CRS), Honorary Professor at Sichuan U and at Jinan U. He authored ≥ 529 publications, with > 56 000 citations, h-index 119 (GS).
Job Position: Director, Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy, University of Magdeburg
Affiliation: University of Magdeburg
Background: Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Mougiakakos is Director of the Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg. He studied medicine in Hannover and trained in hematology and oncology in Freiburg, Regensburg, and Erlangen, with a research fellowship at the Karolinska Institute. He played a key role in the first clinical applications of CAR-T cell therapy for autoimmune diseases
Job Position: Head of Staff Office Regulatory Affairs and Regulatory Support Unit at Charité
Affiliation: Charité
Background: Dr. Christoph Conrad worked for many years on vaccine evaluation at the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) and later headed the Office for Scientific and Regulatory Advice (OSRA), an infrastructure of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF). He also gained international and governmental experience at the WHO in Geneva, the BMBF (now BMFTR), and the Federal Chancellery. Since July 2022, he has been Head of Staff Office Regulatory Affairs at the BIH and, since June 2024, also leads the newly established Regulatory Support Unit.
Job Position: Director of Healthcare and Life Sciences at Fraunhofer IPA
Affiliation: Fraunhofer IPA
Background: He studied Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Production Engineering. Passionate about the interaction between bioworkflows and automation; established and led laboratory automation and bioproduction at Fraunhofer IPA. Multiple founder (Dispendix, Nanolockin, Liquimetrix).
On 19 and 20 May 2026, SaxoCell took part in re:publica 26 in Berlin, the festival for the digital society. Together with SEMECO and other Clusters4Future, research campuses and leading-edge clusters, SaxoCell presented its work at the BMFTR-funded joint booth “Germany’s Engine Room of Innovation”. In total, 21 innovation ecosystems demonstrated how research can lead to practical applications and market-ready solutions.
“re:publica was a great opportunity to experience the strength of this network and to see how much innovation is happening across Germany. I was particularly impressed by the open atmosphere at the booth, the many conversations with people from different fields and the strong sense that we are working together on solutions for tomorrow,” says Luisa Brückner, Innovation Manager at SaxoCell.
Through its Clusters4Future initiative, the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) supports a total of 14 regional innovation networks that aim to bring research findings into practical application more quickly.
Further information about the joint presentation is available on the re:publica page about Germany’s powerhouse of innovation.
Am 19. und 20. Mai 2026 war SaxoCell auf der re:publica 26 in Berlin vertreten, dem Festival für die digitale Gesellschaft. Gemeinsam mit SEMECO sowie weiteren Zukunftsclustern, Forschungscampi und Spitzenclustern präsentierte sich SaxoCell am vom BMFTR geförderten Gemeinschaftsstand „Innovationsmaschinenraum Deutschland“. Insgesamt zeigten dort 21 Innovationsökosysteme, wie aus Forschung konkrete Anwendungen und marktreife Lösungen entstehen.
„Die re:publica war eine großartige Gelegenheit, die Stärke dieses Netzwerks zu erleben und zu sehen, wie viel Innovation in ganz Deutschland entsteht. Besonders beeindruckt haben mich die Offenheit am Stand, die vielen Gespräche mit Menschen aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen und das starke Gefühl, gemeinsam an Lösungen für morgen zu arbeiten“, sagt Luisa Brückner, Innovationsmanagerin bei SaxoCell.
Mit der Zukunftscluster-Initiative Clusters4Future unterstützt das Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR) insgesamt 14 regionale Innovationsnetzwerke, die Forschungsergebnisse schneller in die Anwendung bringen sollen.
Weitere Informationen zum gemeinsamen Auftritt gibt es auf der re:publica-Seite zum Innovationsmaschinenraum Deutschland.
On the evening of 1 June 2026, the members of SaxoCell e.V. gathered at the Hilton Dresden for the association’s first General Assembly. The meeting took place one day before the SaxoCell Conference 2026. It was chaired by Prof. Dr. Martin Bornhäuser, Co-Spokesperson of the SaxoCell Cluster and Chair of SaxoCell e.V. Ilka Henze, Secretary of the association, took the minutes.
Representatives of the member companies and institutions, including Fresenius, FamiCord and Leipzig University, reviewed the association’s activities to date, discussed future priorities and voted on important organisational matters. Founded in 2023, the association provides a shared platform for stakeholders from research, clinical practice and industry and strengthens their collaboration in the field of cell and gene therapies.
The meeting fostered exchange within the network and provided important momentum for the association’s future work. Plans include new event formats, the expansion of partnerships, support for early-career talent in cell and gene therapies, and further strengthening the life sciences ecosystem in Saxony and beyond.
Am Abend des 1. Juni 2026 kamen die Mitglieder von SaxoCell e.V. im Hilton Dresden zu ihrer ersten Mitgliederversammlung zusammen. Die Sitzung fand einen Tag vor der SaxoCell Conference 2026 statt. Geleitet wurde sie von Prof. Dr. Martin Bornhäuser, Co-Sprecher des SaxoCell Clusters und Vorsitzender von SaxoCell e.V. Ilka Henze, Schriftführerin des Vereins, führte Protokoll.
Vertreter:innen der Mitgliedsunternehmen und -institutionen, darunter Fresenius, FamiCord und die Universität Leipzig, blickten auf die bisherigen Vereinsaktivitäten zurück, berieten über künftige Schwerpunkte und stimmten über wichtige organisatorische Fragen ab. Der 2023 gegründete Verein schafft eine gemeinsame Plattform für Akteure aus Forschung, Klinik und Wirtschaft und stärkt ihre Zusammenarbeit im Bereich der Zell- und Gentherapien.
Die Versammlung stärkte den Austausch im Netzwerk und setzte wichtige Impulse für die zukünftige Arbeit des Vereins. Geplant sind unter anderem neue Veranstaltungsformate, der Ausbau von Kooperationen, die Förderung junger Talente im Bereich Zell- und Gentherapien und eine weitere Stärkung des Life-Sciences-Ökosystems in Sachsen und darüber hinaus.
Am 2. Juni 2026 kam das SaxoCell-Konsortium einen Tag vor unserer SaxoCell Conference im Penck Hotel Dresden zusammen, um sich auszutauschen, aktuelle Entwicklungen zu diskutieren und die strategische Ausrichtung für die kommenden Monate zu gestalten.
Eröffnet wurde das Treffen von unseren Clustersprechern. Anschließend gab Dr. Christiane Püttmann (Projektträger Jülich, PtJ) wertvolle Einblicke in die Perspektive des Fördermittelgebers und beleuchtete wichtige Aspekte für die weitere Entwicklung unserer Aktivitäten.
Ein zentraler Programmpunkt war die Vorstellung unserer sieben Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekte. Die präsentierten Fortschritte und neuen Ideen führten zu lebhaften Diskussionen mit interessierten Clusterpartnern sowie den Mitgliedern unseres Advisory Boards und boten eine konstruktive Plattform für Feedback und die gemeinsame Weiterentwicklung der Projekte. Darüber hinaus informierte SaxoCellutions über den aktuellen Stand der Planungen für die dritte Förderphase, deren Start für Oktober 2027 vorgesehen ist. Die Vorbereitungen für diesen nächsten wichtigen Schritt haben damit bereits begonnen.
Die besondere Atmosphäre des Penck Hotels bot den passenden Rahmen für die abschließenden Sitzungen des Tages – das Industry Board Meeting und das Advisory Board Meeting. Im Mittelpunkt standen die stärkere Einbindung industrieller Partner sowohl in die kommende Förderphase als auch in den Verein selbst. Während des Advisory Board Meetings nahmen sechs Beiratsmitglieder die SaxoCell-Projekte eingehend unter die Lupe und teilten ihre wertvollen Einschätzungen und Empfehlungen zum Abschluss der Veranstaltung mit dem gesamten Cluster.
Insgesamt war es ein inspirierender und äußerst produktiver Tag mit hervorragenden Präsentationen, offenen Diskussionen und zahlreichen wertvollen Impulsen für die zukünftige Entwicklung von SaxoCell. Das Feedback des Advisory Boards zeigte zudem auf, wie die Projekte ihre Profile weiter schärfen und ihre Wirkung mit Blick auf die nächste Förderphase noch gezielter ausbauen können.
Ein herzliches Dankeschön an alle Vortragenden, Projektteams, Beiratsmitglieder und Teilnehmenden, die dieses Konsortialtreffen zu einem großen Erfolg gemacht haben. Wir freuen uns auf die nächsten gemeinsamen Schritte!
Der SaxoCell-Cluster wurde kürzlich in einem Fernsehbeitrag des MDR Sachsenspiegel vorgestellt. Im Mittelpunkt standen das Potenzial personalisierter Zelltherapien sowie die enge Zusammenarbeit, mit der Forschungseinrichtungen, Kliniken und Unternehmen in Sachsen Innovationen in der Krebsbehandlung vorantreiben.
Der Beitrag begleitet die Geschichte einer Patientin, die neun Jahre nach der Diagnose eines fortgeschrittenen malignen Melanoms durch eine experimentelle Zelltherapie am Universitätsklinikum Dresden einen bemerkenswerten Behandlungserfolg erzielt hat – nachdem die etablierten Therapieoptionen ausgeschöpft waren.
Rückblickend auf ihren Weg sagt die Patientin:
„Es gab in den vergangenen neun Jahren viele Momente, in denen ich mir kaum vorstellen konnte, jemals wieder hier zu sitzen.“
Prof. Dr. Martin Wermke, behandelnder Arzt der Patientin am Universitätsklinikum Dresden, erläutert das Prinzip der Therapie:
„Wir machen letztlich aus den körpereigenen Immunzellen der Patientinnen und Patienten ein Medikament, indem wir sie gentechnisch so verändern, dass sie den Tumor erkennen und bekämpfen können.“
Im Beitrag kommt außerdem Prof. Dr. Martin Bornhäuser, Direktor der Klinik und Poliklinik für Hämatologie, Zelltherapie und Medizinische Onkologie am Universitätsklinikum Dresden sowie Sprecher des SaxoCell-Clusters, zu Wort. Er beschreibt, was diese lebenden Medikamente so wirkungsvoll macht:
„Dadurch entsteht eine ganze Armee von Kämpfern gegen den Tumor.“
Zugleich hebt er die Bedeutung des kooperativen Ansatzes von SaxoCell hervor, der führende Forschungseinrichtungen, Kliniken und Industriepartner in ganz Sachsen zusammenbringt. Durch die Bündelung von Expertise und Infrastruktur erreicht der Cluster die notwendige kritische Größe, um Innovationen zu beschleunigen und vielversprechende Zelltherapien schneller in die klinische Anwendung zu überführen.
Die Patientin erinnert sich auch an einen ihrer Kontrolltermine, bei dem sie erstmals ermutigende Nachrichten erhielt:
„Prof. Wermke sagte mir, dass alles ein bisschen kleiner geworden sei. Wir haben uns alle sehr gefreut und natürlich gehofft, dass es so weitergeht.“
Nach Angaben der Patientin zeigte jede weitere Untersuchung eine weitere Verbesserung, bis schließlich nach Monaten kontinuierlicher Fortschritte keine Tumoren mehr nachweisbar waren.
Wir bedanken uns herzlich beim MDR Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk Sachsen für die Berichterstattung über diese bewegende Patientengeschichte und dafür, dass das Engagement der Teams des Universitätsklinikums Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, der Medizinischen Fakultät der TU Dresden, der Technischen Universität Dresden sowie der zahlreichen SaxoCell-Partner sichtbar gemacht wird, die gemeinsam daran arbeiten, innovative Zelltherapien für Patientinnen und Patienten voranzubringen.
Den TV-Beitrag finden Sie hier (auf Deutsch):
https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/mdr-sachsenspiegel/personalisierte-medizin-dresdner-zellforschung-zur-krebs-therapie/mdr/Y3JpZDovL21kci5kZS9iZWl0cmFnL2Ntcy9hMjdiZTQxYy0yYjNkLTQyY2ItYjE2MC1mYTljYzI0NTYwZmQ
Hinweis: Der Fernsehbeitrag ist ausschließlich in deutscher Sprache verfügbar. Die oben wiedergegebenen Zitate wurden aus dem Deutschen ins Englische übersetzt.
SaxoCell Looks Back on Two Successful Days in Leipzig – with More Than 900 Participants, Valuable Conversations at Our Booth, and a TV Report Highlighting the Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Industry
The German Biotech Days 2026 (DBT) in Leipzig demonstrated the tremendous momentum driving Saxony’s biotechnology sector. For SaxoCell, the event provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with partners from academia, healthcare, industry, politics, and funding organizations. A particular highlight was the visit of Dirk Panter, Saxony’s State Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Protection, to our booth. His assessment perfectly captured the industry’s spirit of optimism:
“There is real potential here. This is an incredibly innovative industry, and we are proud to be part of it.”
At the same time, the discussions in Leipzig underscored one of the key challenges currently facing the sector: turning promising ideas into market-ready applications is a long, complex, and capital-intensive process. A recent TV report by Sachsen Fernsehen addresses this very issue. As Dr. André Gerth, Founder and CEO of BIONCaRT GmbH, emphasizes in the report, this crucial phase requires “more public and private investment.”
For SaxoCell, one thing is clear: Saxony is home to outstanding research, strong networks, and exceptional innovative strength. The next step is to make these strengths even more visible and to work together to create the conditions that will transform promising scientific approaches into the therapies of tomorrow. As our Cluster Spokesperson, Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrike Köhl, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) in Leipzig and Director of the Institute of Clinical Immunology at Leipzig University, puts it:
“The key now is to establish the right framework conditions so that scientific advances can be translated into reliable treatments for patients.”
Watch the TV report by Sachsen Fernsehen here: https://www.sachsen-fernsehen.de/mediathek/video/sachsens-biotechnologie-hat-ein-geldproblem/
SaxoCell blickt auf zwei starke Tage in Leipzig zurück – mit mehr als 900 Teilnehmenden, wertvollen Gesprächen an unserem Stand und einem TV-Beitrag, der Chancen und Herausforderungen der Branche sichtbar macht
Die Deutschen Biotechnologietage 2026 in Leipzig haben gezeigt, wie viel Dynamik in Sachsens Biotechnologie steckt. Für SaxoCell waren die DBT eine wertvolle Gelegenheit zum Austausch mit Partner*innen aus Wissenschaft, Klinik, Industrie, Politik und Förderung. Ein besonderes Signal war dabei auch der Besuch des Sächsischen Staatsministers für Wirtschaft, Arbeit, Energie und Klimaschutz, Dirk Panter, an unserem Stand. Seine Einschätzung bringt die Aufbruchsstimmung der Branche treffend auf den Punkt: „Da geht wirklich was. Es ist eine absolut innovative Branche, in der wir dabei sind.“
Gleichzeitig wurde in Leipzig deutlich, was die Branche aktuell bewegt: Der Weg von der guten Idee bis zur Anwendung am Markt ist lang, anspruchsvoll und kapitalintensiv. Ein aktueller TV-Beitrag von Sachsen Fernsehen greift diese Herausforderung auf. Wie Dr. André Gerth, Gründer und Geschäftsführer der BIONCaRT GmbH, darin betont, braucht es für diese Phase „mehr öffentliches und privates Kapital“. Für SaxoCell ist zugleich klar: Sachsen bringt exzellente Forschung, starke Netzwerke und viel Innovationskraft mit. Jetzt gilt es, diese Stärke weiter sichtbar zu machen und gemeinsam die Bedingungen dafür zu schaffen, dass aus vielversprechenden Ansätzen Therapien der Zukunft werden. Wie unsere Clustersprecherin Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrike Köhl, Leiterin des Fraunhofer-Instituts für Zelltherapie und Immunologie IZI in Leipzig und Direktorin des Instituts für Klinische Immunologie der Universität Leipzig, formuliert: „Jetzt kommt es darauf an, die richtigen Rahmenbedingungen zu schaffen, damit aus wissenschaftlichen Fortschritten verlässliche Anwendungen für Patientinnen und Patienten werden.“
Hier gelangen Sie zum TV-Beitrag von Sachsen Fernsehen: https://www.sachsen-fernsehen.de/mediathek/video/sachsens-biotechnologie-hat-ein-geldproblem/
They want to make better use of the body’s self-healing powers and make “living drugs” available to many patients: Scientists from the TU Dresden, the University of Leipzig, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI are starting the conception phase in their joint cluster SaxoCell in the innovation competition “Clusters4Future” of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The SaxoCell project starts on May 1st 2020 and was selected as one of 16 out of 137 proposals for funding of the first concept phase in 2020.
Biomedical research today stands at a crossroads where the production of novel drugs is technically possible and existing obstacles can be overcome. Experts from the Technical University of Dresden (TU Dresden), the University of Leipzig and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) have joined forces in the SaxoCell cluster to develop new production methods and applications for innovative cell and gene therapies. The central goal of the BMBF’s SaxoCell cluster for future is to realize the broad application of novel, personalized gene and cell therapeutics, so-called “living drugs”. Key and necessary features are flexible automated systems so that the promising new therapies can be used more widely and cost-effectively than previous therapies. The development of such technologies requires a strong involvement of regional industry and commercial partners, which is a crucial aspect for the success of the cluster.
“The body has cells with excellent self-healing properties. Our task is to produce such cells with precisely defined functions and a high safety profile for application on an industrial scale and at socially acceptable costs. This is a wonderful opportunity for cooperation between academic research and industry in Saxony,” says Prof. Ezio Bonifacio, the cluster spokesman for the TU Dresden side.
Clinical successes include T-cell therapies, particularly CAR-T cells, in whose production the biotech and pharmaceutical industries have already invested and whose clinical testing and application is already being carried out by SaxoCell’s partner institutes and clinics. “The next step is to overcome the technological barriers to enable broad application”, stresses Prof. Dr. Ulrike Köhl, cluster spokeswoman on the Leipzig side.
The SaxoCell cluster aims to bring together gene and cell therapy, artificial intelligence, automation and regulatory areas from science and industry to establish a unique value chain in Saxony The six-month concept phase will be used to bring together partners and start-ups and establish a work plan for this ambitious programme over the next ten years.
The German government plans to provide up to 450 million Euros for the Clusters for Future Initiative over the next decade. In the first round, 137 proposals from all over Germany were submitted for the conception phase, from which an expert jury selected 16 ideas. These projects are now entering a six-month conception phase, each of which will be funded with up to 250,000 euros. The concepts developed in this phase will be submitted as full proposals in November 2020. They will be evaluated by a jury of experts. Up to seven future clusters will be selected for continuation in 2021.
Sie wollen die Selbstheilungskräfte des Körpers besser nutzen und „lebende Arzneimittel“ für viele Patienten verfügbar machen: Wissenschaftler der TU Dresden, der Universität Leipzig und des Leipziger Fraunhofer-Instituts für Zelltherapie und Immunologie IZI beginnen mit der Konzeptionsphase in ihrem gemeinsamen Zukunftscluster SaxoCell im Innovationswettbewerb „Clusters4Future“ des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF). Am 1. Mai 2020 startet das Projekt SaxoCell, das als eines von 16 aus 137 Vorschlägen für die Förderung der ersten Konzeptphase im Jahr 2020 ausgewählt wurde.
Die biomedizinische Forschung steht heute an einem Scheideweg, an dem die Herstellung neuartiger Medikamente technisch möglich ist und bestehende Hindernisse überwunden werden können. Experten der Technischen Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), der Universität Leipzig und des Fraunhofer-Instituts für Zelltherapie und Immunologie (IZI) haben sich zu dem Cluster SaxoCell zusammengeschlossen, um neue Produktionsmethoden und Anwendungsgebiete für innovative Zell- und Gentherapien zu erschließen. Zentrales Ziel des BMBF Zukunftsclusters SaxoCell ist es, die breite Anwendung neuartiger, personalisierter Gen- und Zelltherapeutika, so genannter „lebende Arzneimittel“, zu realisieren. Wesentliche und notwendige Merkmale sind flexible automatisierte Systeme, damit die vielversprechenden neuen Therapien breiter und kostengünstiger als bisherige Therapien eingesetzt werden können. Die Entwicklung solcher Technologien erfordert eine starke Beteiligung der regionalen Industrie und kommerzieller Partner, was ein entscheidender Aspekt für den Erfolg des Clusters ist.
“Der Körper verfügt über Zellen mit ausgezeichneten Selbstheilungseigenschaften. Unsere Aufgabe ist es, solche Zellen mit genau definierten Funktionen und einem hohen Sicherheitsprofil für Anwendung im industriellen Maßstab und zu sozial verträglichen Kosten herzustellen. Das ist eine wunderbare Chance für ein Miteinander aus akademischer Forschung und Industrie in Sachsen”, sagt Prof. Ezio Bonifacio, der Clustersprecher der TU Dresden.
Zu den bisherigen klinischen Erfolgen gehören T-Zell-Therapien, insbesondere CAR-T-Zellen, in deren Produktion die Biotech- und Pharmaindustrie bereits investiert hat und deren klinische Erprobung und Anwendung bereits durch die SaxoCell-Partnerinstitute und -kliniken erfolgt. „Im nächsten Schritt müssen wir die technologischen Hindernisse überwinden um eine breite Anwendung zu ermöglichen.“ betont Prof. Dr. Ulrike Köhl Clustersprecherin auf Leipziger Seite.
Der SaxoCell-Cluster soll in die Bereiche Gen- und Zelltherapie, Künstliche Intelligenz, Automatisierung sowie regulatorische Bereiche aus Wissenschaft und Industrie zusammenzubringen und eine einzigartige Wertschöpfungskette in Sachsen etablieren Die sechsmonatige Konzeptionsphase wird genutzt, um Partner und Start-ups zusammenzubringen und einen Arbeitsplan für dieses ehrgeizige Programm über die nächsten zehn Jahren zu erstellen.
Die Bundesregierung plant, in der nächsten Dekade bis zu 450 Millionen Euro für die Zukunftscluster Initiative bereitzustellen. In der ersten Runde wurden für die Konzeptionsphase 137 Vorschläge aus ganz Deutschland eingereicht, aus denen eine Fachjury 16 Ideen auswählte. Diese Projekte gehen nun in eine sechsmonatige Konzeptionsphase, die mit jeweils bis zu 250.000 Euro gefördert werden. Die in dieser Phase entwickelten Konzepte werden im November 2020 als Vollantrag eingereicht. Sie werden von einer Expertenjury bewertet. Bis zu sieben zukünftige Cluster sollen für eine Fortsetzung im Jahr 2021 ausgewählt werden.
Ansprechpartner für die Presse:
Team Dresden: Prof Ezio Bonifacio (ezio.bonifacio@tu-dresden.de), Dr. Maren Henneken (maren.henneken@tu-dresden.de),
Team Leipzig: Prof. Ulrike Köhl (ulrike.koehl@izi.fraunhofer.de), Dr. Ilka Henze (ilka.henze@izi.fraunhofer.de)
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Partner
Technische Universität Dresden – https://tu-dresden.de/
Universität Leipzig – https://www.uni-leipzig.de/
Fraunhofer-Instituts für Zelltherapie und Immunologie IZI – https://www.izi.fraunhofer.de/
Weiter Informationen:
https://www.bmbf.de/de/zukunftscluster-initiative-9195.html
SaxoCell gratuliert herzlich Sandy Tretbar (Fraunhofer IZI), Projektleiterin von SB-TRACT innerhalb des SaxoCell-Clusters, zum Gewinn des „Ideenpreises“ bei der 10. Leipziger Gründungsnacht für ihr innovatives Spin-off-Projekt CAR FINDER.
Mit einem überzeugenden Pitch und einem zukunftsweisenden Konzept konnte Sandy Tretbar gemeinsam mit ihrem Team die Jury von der Bedeutung und dem Potenzial ihrer Technologie überzeugen. Der mit 5.000 Euro dotierte Preis würdigt den innovativen Ansatz sowie das unternehmerische Engagement hinter dem Projekt.
CAR FINDER entwickelt eine Plattform zur schnellen Identifizierung und Charakterisierung geeigneter CAR-Kandidaten für die Entwicklung neuer Zelltherapieprodukte. Durch eine umfassende In-vitro-Analyse von CAR-Expression, Signalübertragung und CAR-T-Zell-Funktionalität ermöglicht die Plattform eine beschleunigte Bewertung und Optimierung zukünftiger CAR-basierter Therapien.
Die Auszeichnung unterstreicht die erfolgreiche Verbindung von wissenschaftlicher Exzellenz und unternehmerischem Denken innerhalb der SaxoCell-Community. SaxoCell freut sich sehr über die Anerkennung für Sandy Tretbar und ihr Team und begleitet die weiteren Schritte von CAR FINDER auf dem Weg zur Translation und möglichen Anwendung.
Herzliche Glückwünsche gehen an das gesamte CAR FINDER-Team, Fraunhofer AHEAD sowie alle Partnerinnen und Partner, die zur Entwicklung dieser vielversprechenden Innovation beitragen.
SaxoCell congratulates Sandy Tretbar (Fraunhofer IZI), project lead of SB-TRACT within the SaxoCell Cluster, on receiving the “Idea” award at the 10th Leipzig Founders Night (Leipziger Gründungsnacht) for her innovative spin-off project CAR FINDER.
With a convincing pitch and a visionary concept, Sandy Tretbar and her team impressed the jury with their approach to accelerating the development of next-generation cell therapies. The award was accompanied by prize money of €5,000, recognizing the potential of the technology and the entrepreneurial commitment behind the project.
CAR FINDER aims to provide a platform for the rapid identification and characterization of promising CAR candidates for future cell therapy products. By enabling comprehensive in vitro assessment of CAR expression, signaling and CAR T cell functionality, the platform supports the efficient development and optimization of innovative CAR-based therapies.
The award highlights the successful combination of scientific excellence and entrepreneurial innovation within the SaxoCell community. SaxoCell is delighted to see Sandy Tretbar and her team’s dedication recognized and looks forward to supporting the continued development of CAR FINDER on its path towards translation and commercialization.
SaxoCell extends its warm congratulations to the entire CAR FINDER team, Fraunhofer AHEAD and all partners who contributed to the success of this promising innovation.
On 15 November 2025, SaxoCell participated in the Cancer Information Day at University Hospital Leipzig (UKL) as part of the UKL Health Forum. The event provided an opportunity to inform patients, relatives and interested members of the public about innovative cell and gene therapies, as well as new treatment approaches developed in Saxony that are already available to patients today – particularly those with hematological cancers.
At the SaxoCell information stand, Nicole Modler and Stefanie Binder were available to answer questions and discuss current developments in cell and gene therapy with visitors. Numerous conversations highlighted the strong interest in new therapeutic approaches and demonstrated the importance of providing accessible information about advances in personalized medicine and innovative cancer treatments.
A special highlight of the day was a reading by author Stefan Schwarz from his book “Bis ins Mark”. As a former cancer patient treated at University Hospital Leipzig, he shared personal experiences from his treatment journey in a way that was both honest and moving, while also bringing moments of humor and encouragement to the audience.
The programme was complemented by two expert presentations from physicians at University Hospital Leipzig. Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hacker presented insights into personalized cancer medicine, while PD Dr. Vladan Vucinic spoke about innovative cell therapies and current developments within SaxoCell. Both presentations addressed complex medical topics in an accessible way and provided valuable insights into the current state of research and clinical translation.
SaxoCell would like to thank the University Cancer Center Leipzig (UCCL), the event management team at University Hospital Leipzig and all contributors for their excellent organization and collaboration. The patient day once again demonstrated the importance of direct dialogue between research, clinical practice and patients in building understanding and trust in innovative therapies.
Am 15. November 2025 beteiligte sich SaxoCell am Informationstag Krebs des Universitätsklinikums Leipzig (UKL). Im Rahmen des UKL-Gesundheitsforums informierte das Cluster über innovative Zell- und Gentherapien sowie neue Behandlungsansätze, die in Sachsen entwickelt werden und Patientinnen und Patienten – insbesondere mit hämatologischen Krebserkrankungen – bereits heute zur Verfügung stehen.
Am SaxoCell-Informationsstand standen Nicole Modler und Stefanie Binder als Ansprechpartnerinnen für die Besucherinnen und Besucher bereit. In zahlreichen Gesprächen beantworteten sie Fragen zu aktuellen Entwicklungen in der Zell- und Gentherapie sowie zur Forschung und klinischen Anwendung innovativer Präzisionstherapien. Das große Interesse und die intensive Nachfrage unterstrichen den hohen Informationsbedarf zu neuen Therapieoptionen.
Ein besonderer Programmpunkt war die Lesung des Autors Stefan Schwarz aus seinem Buch „Bis ins Mark“. Als ehemaliger Patient des Universitätsklinikums Leipzig schilderte er auf eindrucksvolle Weise seine persönlichen Erfahrungen mit der Krebsbehandlung. Seine bewegenden, zugleich humorvollen und authentischen Schilderungen sorgten für große Resonanz beim Publikum.
Ergänzt wurde das Programm durch zwei Fachvorträge von Ärzten des Universitätsklinikums Leipzig. Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hacker sprach über die Möglichkeiten der personalisierten Krebsmedizin, während PD Dr. Vladan Vucinic aktuelle Entwicklungen innovativer Zelltherapien sowie die Arbeit des SaxoCell-Clusters vorstellte. Beide Vorträge vermittelten komplexe medizinische Inhalte verständlich und boten den Teilnehmenden wertvolle Einblicke in den aktuellen Stand der Forschung und klinischen Anwendung.
SaxoCell bedankt sich herzlich beim Universitären Cancer Center Leipzig (UCCL), dem Veranstaltungsmanagement des Universitätsklinikums Leipzig sowie allen Mitwirkenden für die hervorragende Organisation und die erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit. Der Patiententag hat erneut gezeigt, wie wichtig der direkte Dialog zwischen Forschung, Medizin und Patientinnen und Patienten ist, um über innovative Therapien zu informieren und Vertrauen in neue Behandlungsansätze zu stärken.
Vom 20. bis 22. Oktober 2025 fand die Autumn School 2025 auf dem Villa Ida Media Campus in Leipzig statt. Die Veranstaltung brachte Forschende und Innovatorinnen und Innovatoren der TU Dresden sowie des Fraunhofer-Instituts für Zelltherapie und Immunologie (Fraunhofer IZI) zusammen, um sich drei Tage lang intensiv mit Technologietransfer, Unternehmertum und der Verwertung wissenschaftlicher Innovationen auseinanderzusetzen.
Im Mittelpunkt des Programms standen Themen wie Geschäftsmodellentwicklung, Schutz geistigen Eigentums, Finanzierung, Pitch-Training und Kommerzialisierungsstrategien. Sechs interdisziplinäre Teams – Ribolution, NK4Therapy, Elia Cell, Green Pharming, NeuroNK und CAR-Finder – arbeiteten gemeinsam daran, ihre Geschäftsideen weiterzuentwickeln, Vermarktungsstrategien zu erarbeiten und ihre Projekte auf eine mögliche Ausgründung oder wirtschaftliche Anwendung vorzubereiten.
In interaktiven Workshops und Fachvorträgen erhielten die Teilnehmenden praxisnahe Einblicke in den Technologietransfer, die Entwicklung von Geschäftsmodellen mithilfe des Business Model Canvas sowie in Strategien zum Schutz geistigen Eigentums und zur erfolgreichen Kommerzialisierung wissenschaftlicher Innovationen. Ein Pitch-Training bereitete die Teams auf ihre Abschlusspräsentationen vor, bei denen eine Fachjury wertvolles Feedback für die weitere Entwicklung der Projekte gab. Ergänzt wurde das Programm durch Einblicke aus der Industrie, die praktische Erfahrungen im Technologietransfer der Life Sciences vermittelten.
Die Autumn School bot den Teilnehmenden eine hervorragende Gelegenheit, unternehmerische Kompetenzen auszubauen, sich interdisziplinär zu vernetzen und neue Kooperationen zwischen Wissenschaft und Wirtschaft anzustoßen. Damit leistete die Veranstaltung einen wichtigen Beitrag dazu, vielversprechende Forschungsergebnisse auf ihrem Weg in die praktische Anwendung zu unterstützen.
SaxoCell bedankt sich herzlich bei allen Organisatorinnen und Organisatoren, Referierenden, Mentorinnen und Mentoren sowie den Teilnehmenden, die zum Erfolg der Autumn School 2025 beigetragen haben. Ihr Engagement hat maßgeblich dazu beigetragen, ein inspirierendes Umfeld für Innovation, Wissensaustausch und Technologietransfer zu schaffen.
From 20–22 October 2025, the Autumn School 2025 brought together researchers and innovators from TU Dresden and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (Fraunhofer IZI) at the Villa Ida Media Campus in Leipzig for three days dedicated to technology transfer, entrepreneurship and the commercialization of scientific innovations.
The programme focused on key aspects of translating research into practice, including business model development, intellectual property strategies, financing, pitch training and commercialization. Six interdisciplinary teams – Ribolution, NK4Therapy, Elia Cell, Green Pharming, NeuroNK and CAR-Finder – worked intensively on refining their innovation concepts and preparing their projects for potential market applications.
Participants attended a series of interactive workshops and expert-led sessions covering technology transfer, the Business Model Canvas, intellectual property protection and commercialization strategies. A dedicated pitch training prepared the teams for the final presentation session, where an expert jury provided constructive feedback and valuable perspectives on the further development of their projects. The programme also included insights from industry, highlighting practical experiences in technology transfer within the life sciences sector.
The Autumn School provided an excellent opportunity for participants to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills, exchange ideas across disciplines and build new collaborations between academia and industry. By combining scientific excellence with innovation and business expertise, the event supported the development of future technologies with the potential to benefit patients and society.
SaxoCell would like to thank all organizers, speakers, mentors and participants for contributing to the success of the Autumn School 2025. Their commitment and expertise created an inspiring environment for learning, collaboration and innovation.
On 30 April 2025, SaxoCell, in collaboration with the Cluster4Future initiative SEMECO, hosted the 2nd SaxoCell Fuck-Up Night at the Cosmo Wissenschaftsforum in Dresden. The event brought together entrepreneurs, researchers and innovation enthusiasts for an evening dedicated to openly discussing the challenges of entrepreneurship and the value of learning from setbacks.
Three founders shared their personal experiences of building innovative companies and reflected on the obstacles, unexpected turns and difficult decisions they encountered along the way. Jens Geißler (DIA42), Jan Moritz Middeke (Cancilico) and hardware developer Alexander Gürbig (ConnCons) provided honest and insightful accounts of their entrepreneurial journeys, demonstrating that failure is often an essential part of innovation and long-term success.
Following the presentations, participants engaged in lively discussions and exchanged ideas in an informal networking atmosphere. The event encouraged open dialogue about resilience, risk-taking and the importance of fostering a culture in which challenges and setbacks can be discussed constructively.
SaxoCell would like to thank all speakers, participants and partners who contributed to the success of the evening. The SaxoCell Fuck-Up Night once again demonstrated the value of sharing experiences across disciplines and highlighted the importance of openness, collaboration and continuous learning in strengthening Saxony’s innovation ecosystem.
Am 30. April 2025 veranstaltete SaxoCell gemeinsam mit der Cluster4Future-Initiative SEMECO die 2. SaxoCell Fuck-Up Night im Cosmo Wissenschaftsforum in Dresden. Die Veranstaltung brachte Gründerinnen und Gründer, Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler sowie Innovationsinteressierte zusammen, um offen über die Herausforderungen des Unternehmertums und den konstruktiven Umgang mit Rückschlägen zu sprechen.
Im Mittelpunkt des Abends standen die persönlichen Erfahrungen von drei Gründern, die ihre unternehmerischen Wege mit dem Publikum teilten. Jens Geißler (DIA42), Jan Moritz Middeke (Cancilico) und Hardwareentwickler Alexander Gürbig (ConnCons) berichteten ehrlich über unerwartete Wendungen, schwierige Entscheidungen und prägende Erfahrungen beim Aufbau ihrer Unternehmen. Ihre Beiträge machten deutlich, dass Rückschläge häufig ein wichtiger Bestandteil von Innovationsprozessen und unternehmerischem Erfolg sind.
Im Anschluss an die Vorträge bot die Veranstaltung Raum für einen intensiven fachlichen Austausch und persönliche Gespräche in entspannter Atmosphäre. Die Teilnehmenden diskutierten über den Umgang mit Herausforderungen, die Bedeutung einer offenen Fehlerkultur sowie den Wert des gegenseitigen Erfahrungsaustauschs für Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Gründungsszene.
SaxoCell bedankt sich herzlich bei allen Referierenden, Gästen und Partnern, die zum Gelingen der Veranstaltung beigetragen haben. Die zweite SaxoCell Fuck-Up Night hat erneut gezeigt, wie wichtig Offenheit, gegenseitiges Lernen und der Austausch unterschiedlicher Perspektiven für die Stärkung des Innovationsstandorts Sachsen sind.
Am 31. März 2025 nahm SaxoCell am hybriden „German Stem Cell Network (GSCN) on Tour“-Meeting in Leipzig teil. Die Veranstaltung brachte führende Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler aus der Stammzellforschung zusammen und bot eine Plattform für den Austausch aktueller Forschungsergebnisse sowie die Diskussion zukünftiger Entwicklungen in der regenerativen Medizin.
Organisiert wurde das Treffen von Prof. Dr. Michael Cross in Zusammenarbeit mit dem German Stem Cell Network (GSCN). Das wissenschaftliche Programm förderte den interdisziplinären Austausch und stärkte die Vernetzung innerhalb der deutschen Stammzellforschung.
SaxoCell war mit mehreren Principal Investigators vertreten, die Einblicke in aktuelle Forschungsarbeiten aus den Bereichen Zell- und Gentherapie gaben. Prof. Dr. Ulrike Köhl (Fraunhofer IZI / Medizinische Fakultät) stellte den SaxoCell-Cluster für Präzisionstherapien in Sachsen vor und erläuterte dessen interdisziplinären Ansatz zur Entwicklung innovativer zellbasierter Therapien. Prof. Dr. Zoltán Ivics (Fraunhofer IZI / Medizinische Fakultät) sprach über aktuelle Herausforderungen und neue Lösungsansätze in der Gentherapie. Prof. Dr. Michael Cross (Klinik für Hämatologie) präsentierte neue Erkenntnisse zum Stoffwechsel hämatopoetischer Stammzellen und dessen Bedeutung für die Blutbildung sowie die Entwicklung neuer Behandlungsstrategien.
Neben dem wissenschaftlichen Programm bot der anschließende Netzwerkempfang den Teilnehmenden die Gelegenheit, sich fachlich auszutauschen, neue Kontakte zu knüpfen und mögliche Kooperationen anzubahnen.
SaxoCell bedankt sich herzlich bei den Organisatoren, Referierenden und allen Teilnehmenden – sowohl vor Ort als auch online – für den gelungenen Austausch. Veranstaltungen wie das GSCN on Tour-Meeting leisten einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Vernetzung der wissenschaftlichen Community und fördern den Fortschritt in der Stammzellforschung, Gentherapie und regenerativen Medizin.
On 31 March 2025, SaxoCell participated in the German Stem Cell Network (GSCN) on Tour hybrid meeting in Leipzig, which brought together leading experts in stem cell research to exchange the latest scientific developments and discuss future directions in regenerative medicine.
The event was organized by Prof. Dr. Michael Cross in collaboration with the German Stem Cell Network (GSCN) and provided a platform for researchers from across Germany to present their work, foster scientific dialogue and strengthen collaborations within the stem cell research community.
SaxoCell was represented by several of its principal investigators, who contributed presentations on key aspects of cell and gene therapy research. Prof. Dr. Ulrike Köhl (Fraunhofer IZI / Faculty of Medicine) introduced the SaxoCell precision therapy cluster, highlighting its interdisciplinary approach to advancing innovative cell-based therapies in Saxony. Prof. Dr. Zoltán Ivics (Fraunhofer IZI / Faculty of Medicine) presented current challenges and emerging solutions in gene therapy, while Prof. Dr. Michael Cross (Department of Hematology) explored recent insights into hematopoietic stem cell metabolism and its relevance for blood cell formation and disease treatment.
In addition to the scientific programme, the networking reception offered participants the opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss potential collaborations and strengthen connections between researchers from different disciplines and institutions.
SaxoCell would like to thank the organizers, speakers and all participants—both on site and online—for contributing to a successful and engaging event. Meetings such as the GSCN on Tour series play an important role in fostering scientific exchange and advancing research in stem cell biology, gene therapy and regenerative medicine.
On 20 June 2025, SaxoCell took part in the Long Night of the Sciences (Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften) at two locations in Saxony: the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (Fraunhofer IZI) in Leipzig and the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD). Visitors of all ages had the opportunity to learn more about innovative approaches in cell and gene therapy and the research conducted within the SaxoCell Cluster.
Throughout the evening, both exhibition stands attracted a large number of visitors. Interactive activities, hands-on models and educational games helped explain complex scientific concepts such as CAR immune cell therapies and gene therapies in an engaging and accessible way. One of the most popular attractions was the SaxoCell cell quiz, where participants discovered which type of immune cell best matched their personality – from supportive helper T cells and natural killer cells to macrophages.
A special highlight of the evening was the panel discussion “Innovation and Reservations: How Science Shapes Society”, organized together with the Hannah Arendt Institute for Totalitarianism Studies (HAIT). Experts from medicine, ethics and the social sciences discussed why medical innovations often generate both enthusiasm and scepticism, exploring questions of public trust, perceived risks and the societal impact of emerging technologies. The discussion was streamed live to Leipzig, enabling audiences at both locations to participate in the exchange.
SaxoCell would like to thank all colleagues, organizers and partners who contributed to the success of the event, as well as the many visitors whose curiosity and engagement made the evening such a rewarding experience. The Long Night of the Sciences once again demonstrated the importance of dialogue between researchers and the public in fostering understanding and trust in scientific innovation.
On 10–11 March 2025, the DG-GT Theme Day 2025: Genome Editing Towards Therapies brought together leading researchers and clinicians at the German Hygiene Museum in Dresden to discuss the latest developments in genome editing and their translation into future therapies.
The meeting was jointly organized by the German Society for Gene Therapy (DG-GT), TU Dresden, the SaxoCell Cluster and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden. The event was spearheaded by SaxoCell spokesperson Prof. Dr. Frank Buchholz and SaxoCell Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Zoltán Ivics, who welcomed experts from academia, clinical research and industry for two days of scientific exchange.
The programme covered a broad range of topics, including high-throughput CRISPR screening, innovative genome editing technologies, novel delivery strategies, clinical applications and the ethical considerations surrounding genome editing. Through keynote lectures, scientific presentations and discussions, participants explored both recent breakthroughs and the challenges that remain on the path towards safe and effective therapeutic applications.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing gene and cell therapies. By bringing together expertise from research institutions, clinical centres and industry partners, the event provided an excellent platform for exchanging ideas, fostering new collaborations and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into innovative treatments for patients.
SaxoCell would like to thank all speakers, participants and sponsors for contributing to the success of the meeting. Their support and engagement helped create a stimulating scientific environment and underlined the strong collaborative network driving innovation in genome editing and advanced therapies.
On 2 June 2026, the SaxoCell consortium came together at the Penck Hotel Dresden, just ahead of our SaxoCell Conference, for a day of exchange, discussion, and strategic planning.
The meeting was opened by our speakers, followed by valuable insights from Dr. Christiane Püttmann (PtJ), who shared the funding agency’s perspective and highlighted important aspects for the continued development of our activities.
A central part of the agenda was the presentation of our seven R&D projects. Their progress and ideas sparked lively discussions among interested cluster members and our Advisory Board representatives, creating a constructive environment for feedback and further refinement. We also received important updates from SaxoCellutions regarding the planned third funding phase, which is expected to start in October 2027. As a result, preparations for this next stage are already beginning.
The unique atmosphere of the Penck Hotel provided an inspiring setting for the final sessions of the day: the Industry Board Meeting and the Advisory Board Meeting. Discussions focused on strengthening the involvement of industrial partners in both the upcoming funding phase and the association itself. During the Advisory Board Meeting, six of our board members reviewed the SaxoCell projects in depth and shared their valuable feedback with the entire cluster at the end of the event.
Overall, it was an inspiring and highly productive day with excellent presentations, open discussions, and many valuable impulses for the future. The feedback from the Advisory Board also highlighted opportunities for our projects to further sharpen their profiles and maximize their impact as we move towards the next funding phase.
A big thank you to all speakers, project teams, board members, and participants for making this meeting such a success. We are looking forward to the next steps together!
The SaxoCell Cluster was recently featured in a television report by MDR Sachsenspiegel, highlighting the potential of personalized cell therapies and the collaborative efforts driving innovation in cancer treatment across Saxony.
The report follows the story of a patient who, nine years after being diagnosed with advanced malignant melanoma, has achieved a remarkable outcome through an investigational cell therapy at University Hospital Dresden after standard treatment options had been exhausted.
Reflecting on her journey, the patient recalls: “There were many times over the past nine years when I could hardly imagine ever sitting here.”
Prof. Dr. Martin Wermke, the patient’s treating physician at University Hospital Dresden, explains the principle behind the therapy:
“We ultimately turn the patient’s own immune cells into a medicine by genetically modifying them so that they can recognize and fight the tumour.”
The report also features Prof. Dr. Martin Bornhaeuser, Director of the Department of Hematology, Cell Therapy and Medical Oncology at University Hospital Dresden and spokesperson of the SaxoCell Cluster, who describes what makes these living medicines so powerful:
“This creates a whole army of fighters against the tumour.”
He also emphasizes the importance of SaxoCell’s collaborative approach, which brings together leading research institutions, clinicians and industry partners across Saxony. By combining expertise and infrastructure, the cluster has reached the critical scale needed to accelerate innovation and help translate promising cell therapies into clinical practice.
Looking back on one of her follow-up appointments, the patient remembers the moment she first received encouraging news:
“Prof. Wermke told me that everything had become a little smaller. We were all very happy and, of course, hoped it would continue.”
According to the patient, each subsequent examination showed further improvement until, after months of continued progress, no detectable tumours remained.
We sincerely thank MDR Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk Sachsen for highlighting this patient story and showcasing the dedication of the teams at University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, the Faculty of Medicine at TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, and the many SaxoCell partners working together to advance innovative cell therapies for patients.
Watch the TV feature (German): https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/mdr-sachsenspiegel/personalisierte-medizin-dresdner-zellforschung-zur-krebs-therapie/mdr/Y3JpZDovL21kci5kZS9iZWl0cmFnL2Ntcy9hMjdiZTQxYy0yYjNkLTQyY2ItYjE2MC1mYTljYzI0NTYwZmQ
Please note that the television feature is available in German only. All quotations above have been translated from German.
A powerful finale to our first SaxoCell Conference!
As the second day of our SaxoCell Conference 2026 wrapped up, we feel truly grateful, and honestly a little overwhelmed, by the energy of our community. Thank you to everyone who joined us in Dresden.
Today’s talks, pitches and discussions gave a vivid and very honest picture of what it takes to move cell and gene therapies forward. We heard about promising therapeutic approaches, enabling technologies, dynamic start-up journeys and a deeply personal perspective from a patient who is about to begin her therapy soon. And just as importantly, we talked about what it really takes to bring these ideas closer to patients: regulation, manufacturing, financing and the long road toward clinical application.
For us, it was a real highlight to see researchers, clinicians, start-ups and industry come together in one place. This is the kind of exchange SaxoCell was created to support: connecting people and expertise to help bring innovative cell and gene therapies closer to patients.
What is left to say is a heartfelt THANK YOU to all speakers, panelists, partners and guests for making these two days so special. We are leaving this first SaxoCell Conference with full hearts, many great conversations still on our minds and a strong sense of what is possible when this community joins forces. Let’s keep going together!
What a start to our 1st SaxoCell Conference in Dresden!
Before the official opening of the conference, the SaxoCell consortium came together for its annual meeting. We received many exciting updates from our projects and partners, showing once again how much progress, expertise and commitment there is across our cluster. Keep up the good work!
Day 1 then opened with warm welcomes from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the Free State of Saxony, and with a clear message: cell and gene therapies are one of the key innovation fields of our time.
Dr. Ralf Gebel highlighted SaxoCell’s role within Germany’s High-Tech Agenda and the Roadmap Biotechnology, underlining how our cluster contributes to strengthening the German ATMP ecosystem.
Alexander Dierks, President of the Saxon State Parliament, described cell and gene therapies as “without a doubt one of the most impactful fields of innovation of our times”. His message to our community was clear: keep building strong networks and partnerships – locally, regionally and nationally – so that innovation can reach the patients who need it.
Prof. Dr. Heike Graßmann put it in a nutshell: “Now it’s SaxoCell time!” She emphasised Saxony’s strength as an innovation landscape and the state’s commitment to providing a long-term infrastructure in which science, medicine and biotech can grow.
With this strong encouragement from federal and Saxon representatives, we are heading into Day 2 with great energy. Tomorrow’s programme will bring together perspectives from academia, industry and start-ups – from oncology and autoimmune diseases to delivery technologies, genetic engineering, clinical translation and financing.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening evening.
See you tomorrow!
SaxoCell blickt auf zwei starke Tage in Leipzig zurück – mit mehr als 900 Teilnehmenden, wertvollen Gesprächen an unserem Stand und einem TV-Beitrag, der Chancen und Herausforderungen der Branche sichtbar macht
Die Deutschen Biotechnologietage 2026 in Leipzig haben gezeigt, wie viel Dynamik in Sachsens Biotechnologie steckt. Für SaxoCell waren die DBT eine wertvolle Gelegenheit zum Austausch mit Partner*innen aus Wissenschaft, Klinik, Industrie, Politik und Förderung. Ein besonderes Signal war dabei auch der Besuch des Sächsischen Staatsministers für Wirtschaft, Arbeit, Energie und Klimaschutz, Dirk Panter, an unserem Stand. Seine Einschätzung bringt die Aufbruchsstimmung der Branche treffend auf den Punkt: „Da geht wirklich was. Es ist eine absolut innovative Branche, in der wir dabei sind.“
Gleichzeitig wurde in Leipzig deutlich, was die Branche aktuell bewegt: Der Weg von der guten Idee bis zur Anwendung am Markt ist lang, anspruchsvoll und kapitalintensiv. Ein aktueller TV-Beitrag von Sachsen Fernsehen greift diese Herausforderung auf. Wie Dr. André Gerth, Gründer und Geschäftsführer der BIONCaRT GmbH, darin betont, braucht es für diese Phase „mehr öffentliches und privates Kapital“. Für SaxoCell ist zugleich klar: Sachsen bringt exzellente Forschung, starke Netzwerke und viel Innovationskraft mit. Jetzt gilt es, diese Stärke weiter sichtbar zu machen und gemeinsam die Bedingungen dafür zu schaffen, dass aus vielversprechenden Ansätzen Therapien der Zukunft werden. Wie unsere Clustersprecherin Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrike Köhl, Leiterin des Fraunhofer-Instituts für Zelltherapie und Immunologie IZI in Leipzig und Direktorin des Instituts für Klinische Immunologie der Universität Leipzig, formuliert: „Jetzt kommt es darauf an, die richtigen Rahmenbedingungen zu schaffen, damit aus wissenschaftlichen Fortschritten verlässliche Anwendungen für Patientinnen und Patienten werden.“
Hier gelangen Sie zum TV-Beitrag von Sachsen Fernsehen: https://www.sachsen-fernsehen.de/mediathek/video/sachsens-biotechnologie-hat-ein-geldproblem/
In Dresden entwickelte Nabelschnur‑Stammzellen reduzieren Sterblichkeit bei schwerer COVID‑Infektion
(urspr. Artikel von Annechristin Bonß, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden)
Patient*innen mit einer schweren Covid-Infektion haben ein sehr hohes Sterberisiko. Eine wesentliche Ursache dafür ist die überschießende Immunreaktion des Körpers. Eine aktuelle Studie aus Kanada zeigt nun, dass die Behandlung mit Mesenchymalen Stamm- oder Stromazellen (MSC) aus der Nabelschnur Neugeborener die Sterblichkeit bei diesen Patient*innen deutlich reduziert. Auch Mediziner*innen aus Dresden sind Teil dieser wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnis, denn für die in Kanada durchgeführte Studie wurden Zellen verwendet, die in der Elbestadt entwickelt wurden. „Wir sind stolz, dass der in Dresden entwickelte Ansatz für eine zelluläre Therapie bei Frühgeborenen das Potential hat, auch das Leben Erwachsener zu retten“, sagt Prof. Mario Rüdiger, Direktor des Zentrums für feto-neonatale Gesundheit am Universitätsklinikum Dresden.
Den Einsatz von Stammzellen aus der Nabelschnur (mesenchymalen Stromazellen – MSC) haben die Mediziner*innen aus dem Zentrum für feto-neonatale Gesundheit am Universitätsklinikum Dresden schon länger im Blick. Ursprünglich wurde diese Therapie entwickelt, um Frühgeborenen und kranken Neugeborenen zu helfen. Hierbei sollen insbesondere die entzündungsmodulierenden Eigenschaften der MSC helfen, eine chronische Lungenerkrankung bei extrem früh geborenen Kindern zu vermeiden.
Im Rahmen der Covid-19-Pandemie hat sich das Team am Zentrum für feto-neonatale Gesundheit aber schnell auf die globale Herausforderung fokussiert und gemeinsam mit Partnern am Ottawa Health Research Institute (OHRI) in Kanada eine Studie zur Behandlung schwer erkrankter Erwachsener mit Covid initiiert. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie wurden jetzt im renommierten Journal Stem Cell Reports veröffentlicht und zeigen, dass die in Dresden entwickelten MSC-Therapie die Sterblichkeit dieser Patient*innen senken konnte.
Da die Pandemie glücklicherweise vor Erreichen der geplanten Fallzahlen beendet war, reichen die Ergebnisse noch nicht aus, um diese neue Therapie in die klinische Praxis zu überführen. Aus diesem Grunde führen die Partner in Kanada derzeit eine im Jahr 2024 gestartete große Phase-II-Studie für Patient*innen mit schwerer Sepsis durch. Die Studie hat das Ziel, insgesamt 296 Teilnehmende zu rekrutieren. Grundlage für die dort untersuchte Therapie sind ebenfalls Zellen, die in Dresden aus Nabelschnüren gesunder Neugeborener isoliert werden. Für die industrielle Weiterentwicklung dieser Zellen arbeitet das Team eng mit dem Industriepartner MDTB Cells aus Radebeul zusammen.
MDTB Cells verantwortet die GMP‑Skalierung und die Entwicklung der Wirkstoffplattform DESACELL®. „Wir freuen uns über die enge Kooperation mit dem Universitätsklinikum Dresden. Die jetzt publizierten Ergebnisse bestätigen das klinische Potenzial der DESACELL®-Plattform und bestärken uns in der weiteren industriellen Entwicklung“, sagt Tino Hammer, Co‑Founder & CEO der Firma MDTB Cells.
Während die Verwendung von MSCs als Zelltherapeutika vielfach untersucht wurde, scheitere ihre breite Routineanwendung bisher daran, dass nicht immer ausreichend junge Zellen in passender Qualität und Menge verfügbar waren. Durch ein neuartiges Verfahren, das das Team in Dresden unter der Leitung von Dr. Marius A. Möbius und Dr. Daniel Freund entwickelt hat, ist es gelungen, sehr junge Zellen aus dem Nabelschnurgewebe in einer Menge zu isolieren, die eine Anwendung am Menschen ermöglicht. Im Rahmen des vom BMFTR geförderten Cluster4Future SaxoCell, welches die Etablierung einer zellbasierten Industrie in Sachsen zum Ziel hat und für das eine dritte Förderphase angestrebt wird, arbeitet das Team daran, die Produktion so weiterzuentwickeln, dass die Therapie – sobald sie in der Klinik als wirksam befunden wurde – in die Routineanwendung überführt und damit dann nicht nur Frühgeborenen effektiv geholfen werden kann.
„Wenn sich die Daten der Covid-Studie auch bei Erwachsenen mit schwerer Sepsis reproduzieren lassen, dann würde eine ursprünglich aus der Neonatologie stammende Therapie, die Behandlung bei Erwachsenen revolutionieren“, erläutert Prof. Mario Rüdiger. „Damit hätten wir gleichzeitig ein wichtiges Ziel im Rahmen des Projektes SaxoCell erreicht, zelluläre Therapien Made in Saxony.“
„Die jetzt publizierten Ergebnisse zeigen einmal mehr, welche Chancen zell-basierte Therapeutika für die Industrie bieten – für die Patient*innen im Rahmen einer zukunftsorientierten Versorgung und für den Wissenschafts- und Wirtschaftsstandort Sachsen“, sagt Prof. Dr. Martin Bornhäuser, Co-Sprecher von SaxoCell. Prof. Frank Buchholz, ebenfalls SaxoCell-Sprecher, ergänzt: „Diese Ergebnisse unterstreichen das enorme Potenzial zellbasierter Therapien und zeigen zugleich, welche Innovationskraft in Sachsen entsteht. Mit SaxoCell bündeln wir Wissenschaft, Klinik und Industrie, um solche Ansätze von der Forschung bis zur industriellen Anwendung zu beschleunigen.“
Weiterführende Informationen
Zentrum für feto/neonatale Gesundheit: www.ukdd.de/fetoneoResearch
MDTB Cells GmbH: www.mdtbcells.com
Originalpublikation
English SW, Ferguson DA, Lalu MM, Courtman DW, Khan S, Sobh M, Watpool I, Champagne J, Hodgins S, Thébaud B, Soliman K, Chassé M, dos Santos CC, Möbius MA, Freund D, Rüdiger M, Stewart DJ (2026) Cellular immunotherapy for COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome: Results of the CIRCA-19 phase 1 safety and phase 2 randomized controlled trials. Stem Cell Rep, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2026.102854
Umbilical cord stem cells developed in Dresden reduce mortality in severe COVID infection
by Annechristin Bonß, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
Patients with severe COVID infection have a very high risk of death. One major cause of this is the body’s excessive immune response. A recent study from Canada now shows that treatment with mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSCs) from the umbilical cords of newborns significantly reduces mortality in these patients. Physicians from Dresden are also part of this scientific finding, because the cells used in the study conducted in Canada were developed in the Elbe city. “We are proud that the approach to cellular therapy for premature infants developed in Dresden has the potential to save the lives of adults as well,” says Prof. Mario Rüdiger, Director of the Saxonian Center for Feto/Neonatal Health at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden.
The physicians at the Center for Feto-Neonatal Health in Dresden have had the use of stem cells from the umbilical cord (mesenchymal stromal cells – MSCs) in their sights for quite some time. Originally, this therapy was developed to help premature babies and sick newborns. In particular, the anti-inflammatory properties of MSCs are intended to help prevent chronic lung disease in extremely premature infants.
During the COVID pandemic, however, the team at the Center for Feto-Neonatal Health quickly focused on this global challenge and, together with partners at the Ottawa Health Research Institute (OHRI) in Canada, initiated a study on the treatment of severely ill adults with COVID. The results of this study have now been published in the renowned journal Stem Cell Reports and show that the MSC therapy developed in Dresden was able to reduce mortality in these patients.
Because the pandemic fortunately ended before the planned number of cases had been reached, the results are not yet sufficient to bring this new therapy into clinical practice. For this reason, the partners in Canada are currently conducting a large Phase II study, launched in 2024, for patients with severe sepsis. The study aims to recruit a total of 296 participants. The therapy being investigated there is likewise based on cells isolated in Dresden from the umbilical cords of healthy newborns. For the industrial further development of these cells, the team is working closely with its industry partner MDTB Cells in Radebeul.
MDTB Cells is responsible for GMP scaling and the development of the DESACELL® therapeutic platform. “We are delighted about the close cooperation with University Hospital Dresden. The results now published confirm the clinical potential of the DESACELL® platform and encourage us in its further industrial development,” says Tino Hammer, Co-Founder & CEO of MDTB Cells.
While the use of MSCs as cell therapeutics has been widely studied, their broad routine application has so far failed because sufficient numbers of young cells of the appropriate quality were not available for routine use. Through a novel process developed by the team in Dresden under the leadership of Dr. Marius A. Möbius and Dr. Daniel Freund, it has been possible to isolate very young cells from umbilical cord tissue in quantities that enable use in humans. As part of the BMFTR-funded Cluster4Future SaxoCell, which aims to establish a cell-based industry in Saxony and is expected to enter its third funding phase soon, the team is working to further develop production so that, once the therapy has been found effective in the clinic, it can be transferred into routine use and thus effectively help not only premature infants.
“If the data from the COVID study can also be reproduced in adults with severe sepsis, then a therapy originally stemming from neonatology would revolutionize treatment in adults,” explains Prof. Mario Rüdiger. “At the same time, we would have achieved an important goal within the SaxoCell project: cellular therapies Made in Saxony.”
“The results now published once again show the opportunities that cell-based therapeutics offer for industry – for patients in the context of forward-looking healthcare and for Saxony as a center of science and business,” says Prof. Dr. Martin Bornhäuser, Co-Spokesperson of SaxoCell. Prof. Frank Buchholz, also a SaxoCell spokesperson, adds: “These results underline the enormous potential of cell-based therapies and at the same time demonstrate the innovative strength emerging in Saxony. With SaxoCell, we bring together science, clinical practice and industry in order to accelerate such approaches from research to industrial application.”
Further information
Saxonian Center for Feto/Neonatal Health: www.ukdd.de/fetoneoResearch
MDTB Cells GmbH: www.mdtbcells.com
Original publication:
English SW, Ferguson DA, Lalu MM, Courtman DW, Khan S, Sobh M, Watpool I, Champagne J, Hodgins S, Thébaud B, Soliman K, Chassé M, dos Santos CC, Möbius MA, Freund D, Rüdiger M, Stewart DJ (2026) Cellular immunotherapy for COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome: Results of the CIRCA-19 phase 1 safety and phase 2 randomized controlled trials. Stem Cell Rep, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2026.102854
SaxoCell starts its second funding phase
The SaxoCell consortium kicked off the second funding phase with a successful meeting on January 20th and 21st, 2025, at Fraunhofer IZI in Leipzig. In an inspiring and productive gathering, the project teams exchanged ideas about their upcoming three years of research in the field of cell and gene therapy.
During both days, the teams presented their innovative ideas and plans for the further development of the current eight SaxoCell projects. A special highlight of the meeting was the involvement of the project sponsor, Jülich, who provided valuable insights and support for the ongoing implementation of the research projects.
Additionally, a creative Lego Serious Play® workshop, conducted by mikomi – the Institute for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Cooperation at the University of Mittweida, allowed participants to develop innovative solutions and strengthen collaboration within the consortium. Another highlight was the inspiring keynote by Prof. Andreas Zaby from the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovations (SPRIND), which opened up new perspectives on groundbreaking innovations.
Breakthrough in the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases with CD19 CAR-T Cell Therapy
A major advancement in medicine: for the first time, a novel CD19 CAR-T cell therapy has been successfully used to treat a patient with multi-refractory primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This severe autoimmune disease causes the immune system to destroy platelets, leading to potentially life-threatening bleeding.
The innovative therapy achieved sustained remission in a patient who had exhausted all conventional treatments, including a splenectomy. By specifically eliminating harmful B cells responsible for producing autoantibodies, the CAR-T cell therapy not only normalized platelet levels but also alleviated symptoms and significantly improved the patient’s quality of life—with fewer side effects compared to cancer treatment.
This groundbreaking case study was recently published in The Lancet (January 2025) by a team led by SaxoCell spokesperson Prof. Martin Bornhäuser. The success was made possible through collaboration with Dimitrios Mougiakakis from Magdeburg, an expert in CAR-T therapy for autoimmune diseases, who managed cell collection and reinfusion, as well as Karolin Trautmann-Grill and Malte von Bonin from Dresden, who coordinated patient care and follow-up.
“We have successfully used this therapy in cancer treatment many times before. With the SaxoCell Cluster for Cell and Gene Therapy, we have the ideal conditions to apply our knowledge and expertise to other indications as well,“ explains SaxoCell spokesperson Prof. Frank Buchholz. Despite these promising results, further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term safety and broader applicability of this therapy.
Successful Workshop on Automation in Cell and Gene Therapy: SaxoCell Sets Important Impulses
On December 6, 2024, a groundbreaking workshop titled “Automated Production for Cell and Gene Therapy” took place at the DKMS Life Science Lab. Organized by SaxoCell in collaboration with Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen (WFS) and VE.MAS innovativ, the event brought together leading experts in cell and gene therapy as well as Saxon providers of automation solutions.
The goal of the workshop was to identify the potential of automation in cell and gene therapy and to develop new approaches to make the industry more efficient and future-ready. The discussions were so engaging that they extended well beyond the scheduled time. “The enthusiasm and commitment of all participants showed just how strong the spirit of innovation is in this field,” said Stephanie Wieneke from SaxoCell.
A highlight of the event was an exclusive tour of the highly automated DKMS Life Science Lab, where participants gained fascinating insights into cutting-edge laboratory automation, serving as a model for future developments in cell and gene therapy.
“These are exactly the impulses we want to create with SaxoCell to drive the development of the cell and gene therapy sector in Saxony and across Germany,” emphasized SaxoCell. “The combination of scientific expertise and innovative automation solutions offers tremendous potential for growth and progress.”
The organizers announced that the next workshop is already being planned for early 2025. The focus remains on strengthening collaboration within the industry and promoting innovative solutions.
“Saxony is one of the most exciting life sciences regions in Germany” – Thomas Horn in conversation
Saxony is increasingly establishing itself as a leading region for innovations in the life sciences sector. In an interview with Handelsblatt on December 3, 2024, Thomas Horn, Managing Director of Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH (WFS), emphasized the region’s outstanding development and future prospects.
“Saxony is one of the most exciting life sciences regions in Germany,” Horn stated in the discussion. He particularly highlighted the Free State Dresden’s growing significance as a hub for cell and gene therapy, one of the most promising advancements in the healthcare sector.
With innovation clusters like the Cluster4Future SaxoCell and close collaboration between research institutions, universities, and companies, Saxony offers a unique ecosystem for groundbreaking developments in diagnostics and therapy. “We see strong momentum in the region, which excites both scientists and investors,” Horn emphasized.
Supported by targeted funding programs and excellent infrastructure, Saxony is attracting more and more start-ups and established companies from the life sciences sector. Facilities such as BioCity Leipzig and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) serve as key hubs for networking and advancing innovation.
In addition to its economic and scientific achievements, Horn also praised the region’s international reach. “Saxony is increasingly positioning itself as a global player in the life sciences industry,” he said.
With this positive development, Saxony reinforces its ambition to take a leading role in one of the most important future fields of medicine.
The Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH supports companies, investors, and research institutions in realizing their projects in the Free State of Saxony. With a focus on industries such as life sciences, mechanical engineering, and electromobility, WFS actively contributes to the region’s economic growth.
https://www.handelsblatt.com/adv/firmen/wirtschaftsfoerderung-sachsen-gmbh.html
Precision Medicine in Focus: Successful 8th Life Science Forum Leipzig brings Science and Industry Together
At the end of November, the 8th Life Science Forum Leipzig took place, bringing together over 80 participants from science and industry to discuss the latest developments and perspectives in precision medicine. Organized jointly by Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen (WFS) and the SaxoCell Cluster for Future, the event impressively demonstrated the importance of dialogue between research and business for progress in medical precision technology.
Following the opening by Uwe Lienig (WFS) and Stefanie Binder (SaxoCell), participants enjoyed a diverse program featuring high-profile presentations. Highlights included inspiring keynotes by Prof. Dr. Martin Bornhäuser (University Hospital Dresden), Dr. Maximilian Merz (University Hospital Leipzig), and Dr. Thorsten Pisch (Gilead Sciences), offering fascinating insights into the latest advancements and challenges in precision medicine. The program was further enriched by presentations on innovative approaches in diagnostics and therapy, emphasizing practical solutions for the healthcare of the future.
A particularly positive aspect was the active participation of numerous companies from saxony, including Seamless Therapeutics, Cancilico, T Cell Tolerance, DKMS Life Science Lab, and MDTB Cells. These contributions highlight Saxony’s outstanding position as a hub for innovative developments in the life sciences industry.
The venue, BioCity Leipzig, provided the perfect setting for a successful day filled with in-depth discussions, networking, and knowledge exchange. “The Life Science Forum Leipzig has once again proven how essential this regular exchange is for the advancement of precision medicine,” summarized Stefanie Binder from SaxoCell.
The Life Science Forum regularly brings together experts from science and industry to discuss key topics in life sciences and biotechnology. With a focus on current challenges and innovations, the forum serves as a platform for interdisciplinary exchange and networking within the industry.
Finance Day Celebrates Premiere in Leipzig – Successful Networking of Life-Science Start-ups and Investors
The Finance Day, one of the most important events for start-up, growth, and capital market financing in the life sciences industry for the past 18 years, has opened a new chapter this year: for the first time, the prestigious event was held in Leipzig.
Organized by GoingPublic Media and the Plattform Life Sciences, the Finance Day provided an inspiring platform for promising life science projects and start-ups. In the unique atmosphere of BioCity Leipzig, innovative companies showcased themselves to renowned investors from across Germany.
Particularly notable were the contributions from the SaxoCell Future Cluster, including companies like Seamless Therapeutics, Katana Labs, and Singleron, which presented their groundbreaking technologies and business models. Ulrike Köhl, Cluster spokesperson of SaxoCell, took the opportunity to introduce the future cluster and other partner companies such as Cancilico, T-Cell Tolerance, and T-Curx to a wide audience.
In addition to the exciting pitches from the start-ups, networking and personal exchange were also at the heart of the event. The concluding evening event provided an ideal setting to forge new connections and further deepen the synergies within the industry.
With the first Finance Day in Leipzig, it was impressively demonstrated that the region is becoming a growing hub for innovation and collaboration in life sciences.
For 18 years, the Finance Day has been bringing together companies, investors, and industry experts from the life sciences sector. The goal of the event is to provide founders and start-ups with access to capital providers and thereby promote the development of innovative projects and technologies.
