Malaghan Institute of Medical Research to launch new immunotherapy against cancer in partnership with Chinese research
group.
The Malaghan Institute of Medical Research is initiating an exciting new partnership with Chinese researchers to develop
and trial leading-edge cancer immunotherapies in New Zealand. Hunan Medical Research Group will be visiting Wellington
on 28th November, as part of a delegation from the city of Changsha, to sign a letter of intent to partner with the
Malaghan Institute to develop new CAR-T cell therapies against cancer.
CAR-T cell therapies involve modifying patients’ immune cells (T cells) in the laboratory, to redirect them against
cancer cells. The modified T cells are then returned to the patient, where they can attack and destroy cancer cells.
Dr Robert Weinkove, Clinical Director of the Human Immunology Laboratory, who will be leading this project, says: “The
Malaghan Institute of Medical Research has special laboratories for the production of patient-specific immune
treatments, and experience in running clinical trials in this area. We are very excited at the prospect of bringing
CAR-T cell therapies to New Zealand, as these treatments hold great potential.”
The two organisations signed a letter of intent to form the partnership at the Malaghan Institute on Monday 28th
November. The intention is to create a New Zealand-based joint venture which will trial and develop this exciting new
form of immunotherapy internationally.
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About the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
The Malaghan Institute of Medical Research is New Zealand’s leading independent biomedical research institute,
contributing new scientific discoveries and innovative research steps for immunology to be applied for a whole range of
human diseases. As a registered charity, the Institute is committed to finding cures for cancer, asthma, allergy,
parasitic and inflammatory diseases. The Malaghan Institute has advanced significant expertise in pioneering research
programmes focus on immunology, gut immunology and cell biology to seek better treatments and cures for diseases
affecting New Zealanders.
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