Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, Sweden, have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding a joint initiative on immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy harnesses the body's own immune system to fight disease and has great potential, both in cancer and in autoimmune diseases where established treatments are insufficient.
To capitalise on this development, a joint hub for stakeholders in the field is now being established at Lund University's Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Engineering (LTH) and Skåne University Hospital. The aim is to create a long-term research and innovation environment where new immunotherapies can reach patients more quickly.
"It is gratifying that we have succeeded in bringing together expertise in research, innovation, engineering and clinical application. Through this initiative, we are in a unique position to drive the development of next-generation immunotherapies forward," says Maria Björkqvist, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Lund University.
A concrete example of developments in the field is CAR-T therapy.
"Recently, medicine has made a major breakthrough. Through immunotherapy, we have learnt to utilise and control the immune system to treat previously incurable diseases. CAR-T therapy is one such example where terminally ill patients with, for instance, lymphoma or myeloma can now be cured," says Stefan Jovinge, Head of Research at Skåne University Hospital.
The initiative is based on the Lund Model, where early-stage research development is integrated with clinical conditions, regulatory processes and innovation support. Within the framework of the collaboration, joint recruitment drives are also planned, including for associate senior lecturers/assistant professors and a strategic professorship recruitment in 2026.
