The initiative is formalised through a new memorandum of understanding between Lund University and Skåne University Hospital. It brings together expertise from the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Engineering (LTH) and the hospital, forming a joint hub for stakeholders in the field. The focus is on strengthening the full translational chain, from early discovery to clinical application and innovation support, and on creating a long‑term research and innovation environment where new immunotherapies can reach patients more quickly.
Researchers from the Lund Stem Cell Center, including Anna Falk and Filipe Pereira, are among those involved.
“This initiative comes at a transformative moment,” says Filipe Pereira, Professor at Lund University and research group leader at the Lund Stem Cell Center. “Immunotherapy has shown curative potential, but most patients still do not benefit. The initiative is built on decades of advances in our understanding of tumour-immune interactions, which have created the tools to actively shape immune responses and create new forms of immunity to treat cancer. By combining discovery, engineering and clinical translation in one environment, Lund is uniquely positioned to drive the next generation of immunotherapies that are more effective and broadly accessible.”
Similar to cell‑based therapies, many immune‑based therapies are inherently complex, and their development depends on close collaboration between laboratory researchers, clinicians, regulatory expertise and innovation infrastructure. The initiative is based on the Lund Model, where early‑stage research is integrated with clinical conditions, regulatory processes and innovation support from the outset. Close involvement from partners at Skåne University Hospital helps ensure that promising findings can move efficiently toward clinical testing and, ultimately, patient care.
“Investment in excellent research in immunotherapies needs to be matched by infrastructure and expertise in process development and regulatory matters – something that has been established through previous major initiatives by Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, namely the pre-GMP facility and the GMP manufacturing unit respectively," says Anna Falk, Professor at Lund University, Director of the LU‑ATMP Centre, and research group leader at the Lund Stem Cell Center.
"This initiative will further strengthen the region within ATMP, where we aim to be among the world leaders by 2035. This initiative will further strengthen the region within advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs).”
Recruiting the next generation of immunotherapy researchers
The three new Assistant Professorships span experimental cancer immunotherapy, immuno‑oncology and immune cell engineering, and immunotechnology. They each offer strong opportunities for collaboration across faculties and research environments at Lund University.
One of the positions is closely linked to Lund’s s advanced therapy ecosystem, with connections to the Lund Stem Cell Center and the LU‑ATMP Center. The role supports innovative and, where appropriate, higher‑risk research directions with clear translational potential, and offers access to established research infrastructure and clinical collaborations.
The positions are tenure‑track and include dedicated start‑up packages. They are aimed at emerging research leaders with an international background who are ready to develop independent research programmes within immunotherapy.
Read the full Lund University press release
Read more about the three Assistant Professor positions and how to apply:
- Cancer Immunotherapy – apply till May 26
- Experimental Cancer Immunotherapy – apply till June 10
- Immuno-oncology and Immune Cell Engineering – apply till June 10
