20/21.01.2025 | Meeting
SaxoCell Kickoff Meeting – 2nd Funding Phase
SaxoCell will establish a lighthouse for cell and gene therapies in Saxony, featuring high international visibility. Here you will find a selection of news and information about our cluster. We are looking forward to press and media inquiries. Please contact us!
News
4. January 2025 | Publication
THE LANCET Paper from the Cluster
06.12.2024 | Workshop
Workshop on Automation in Dresden
03.12.2024 | Press Release
SaxoCell in Handelsblatt
26.11.2024 | Public Event
8th Life Science Forum
24.10.2024 | Public Event
Finance Day Celebrates Premiere in Leipzig
18th September 2024 | Networking
BMBF Clusters4Future Meeting 2024
SaxoCell returns from Munich after this year’s Clusters4Future experience exchange.
Over two days, the seven clusters from both the first and second rounds of the competition had the opportunity to network and exchange ideas on key topics like cluster management, sustainability, and industrial collaborations. Representing us were SaxoCell spokesperson Frank Buchholz, along with Maren Henneken and Stefanie Binder from the Hub team.
This year’s hosts were Munich-based clusters MCube and CNATM. In addition to their thematic focuses on mobility and nucleic acid therapies, Best Practices on cluster sustainability, such as those presented by BioRN, were shared. During the panel discussion, participants received valuable insights into attracting young talent and skilled professionals, as well as transitioning Clusters4Future to the second funding phase. An open dialogue with representatives from the BMBF and Projektträger Jülich rounded off the meeting.
As in the past two years, the annual exchange provided an ideal opportunity to gain new insights, learn from one another, and reconnect with long-standing contacts. We’re looking forward to next year!
22nd August 2024 | Press release
SaxoCell enters second funding phase!
SaxoCell is pleased to announce that it has been selected by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and an independent expert jury for a second phase of funding in the Clusters4Future initiative.
We are very happy about this as it highlights the potential and achievements of SaxoCell, a pioneering cluster for innovative cell and gene therapies.
BMBF Clusters4Future press release
University Leipzig press release
14th June 2024 | Public event
SaxoCell at the Long Night of Science
Once again this year in Dresden, science enthusiasts of all ages had the chance to get to know SaxoCell and learn about the latest advances in cell and gene therapy in discussions with our hub team.
Our tried-and-tested games and craft materials were available at our booth, including the colourful magnetic fishing game on CAR-T cell therapy and the entertaining immune cell quiz. We were delighted to welcome so many curious visitors at our stand!
The enthusiasm and curiosity of the visitors made the event truly special. Seeing so many people eager to learn about scientific advancements and participate in our activities was incredibly rewarding. We look forward to continuing this tradition and sharing more exciting developments at future events. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the night unforgettable!
4th – 5th June 2024 | Meeting
SaxoCell Retreat 2024
At the beginning of June, our two-day SaxoCell retreat was a resounding success, offering a perfect blend of productive discussions and engaging activities. PIs and scientists from our projects and platforms, members from the SaxoCell Hub as well as our Scientific Advisory Board representatives gathered at Congress Hotel Chemnitz.
Our agenda was packed with insightful discussions, innovative pitches, and a comprehensive outlook on our future projects and perspectives.
The highlight of our retreat was the team challenge, where we formed eight teams to build spaghetti towers – aiming for the highest – fostering creativity and teamwork. The winning tower measured 70 centimetres! There was also a winner of hearts which was not as high but very stable and ready long before the end of the challenge.
Our SaxoCell Retreat 2024 not only strengthened our professional bonds but also provided valuable insights and renewed enthusiasm for our collective goals. Thank you to everyone who was part of this event! It was great to get to know each other apart from desk and bench!
23rd May 2024 | Evaluation
SaxoCell Jury Day
At CRTD in Dresden, we hosted a jury of experts who examined and evaluated our concept for the development of innovative cell and gene therapies in detail.
The assessment by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the project management organisation Jülich is a decisive step in the further development of SaxoCell. A positive evaluation would not only confirm the scientific excellence and innovative strength of our cluster, but would also pave the way for the next phase of funding and implementation.
Our team, consisting of experienced scientists, junior researchers, physicians and industry partners, has worked with great commitment and passion to represent our cluster. We had great project pitches! Our PIs were available to answer questions from the reviewers! Outstanding posters highlighted the goals and potential of our projects!
We would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and support and look to the future with confidence and optimism. Together we hope for a positive evaluation that will take us another step towards becoming a cell and gene therapy beacon in Saxony.
21st May 2024 | Public event
SaxoCell Patient Afternoon
The first SaxoCell patient afternoon for blood cancer patients took place in Leipzig.
We talked to numerous interested patients and their families about gene and cell therapies and learnt about innovative treatment options for blood cancers. The participants were able to network with each other and gain many valuable insights into the future of medicine that are not always possible.
In the first part of the event, medical specialists from private practices, a university clinic and a rehabilitation clinic took a closer look at the patient journey from the practice to the clinic to rehab and explained their perspectives on the topic. In addition, two patient representatives shared their personal experiences from therapy and rehab. Among them was Stefan Schwarz, who impressively describes his treatment path in his book ‘Bis ins Mark’.
The second part of the event focused on the topic of ‘Cancer – a holistic challenge for patients and doctors’ with useful information about the right diet for tumor patients. There was also a presentation on the topic of ‘Gender in immunotherapy’.
Our successful patient afternoon was moderated by Prof Uwe Platzbecker and Dr Luisa Mantovani Löffler. We would like to thank all participants, speakers and organisers of the event and look forward to continuing it next year!
2nd + 3rd May 2024 | Workshop
SaxoCell Pitch Training
We hosted two dynamic days of pitch training for our projects in preparation of our SaxoCell Retreat in June.
Project representatives prepared their 8-min pitches in Power Point presentations and got their chance to present. Input and feedback by our coach Markus Schmittberger was followed by a vivid discussion involving all participants. With some more handout material from our coach the projects are now ready to shine!
We thank Markus Schmittberger and all participants in Dresden and online for the great workshops!
27th March 2024 | Public event
SaxoCell FuckUpNight – Failure, Fun and the Future
Our very first SaxoCell FuckUpNight about Start-ups in Biomedicine was a splendid evening full of first-hand insights in business risks and refreshing personal experiences of our wonderful speakers Dr. Anne-Kristin Heninger and Prof. Matthias Hebrok.
The many questions from the interested audience resulted in an inspiring discussion about the risks and benefits of failure in science.
Special thanks go to COSMO Wissenschaftsforum for the cozy and well equipped location.
The enthusiastic feedback from our guests leaves us inspired to continue this format.
8th – 9th March 2024 | Public event
SPIN2030 Science Festival
SPIN2030 Wissenschaftsfestival at Technische Sammlungen Dresden over the first weekend in March vividly showcased the scientific landscape in Saxony. SaxoCell was there, too, offering hands-on experiences with DNA origami, CAR-T cell fishing game, and an immunocyte quiz to make our work and cell and gene therapies more understandable. There was great interest, and we had wonderful exchanges with people from various backgrounds.
Additionally, Dorit Teichmann from our SaxoCell Hub team delivered a compelling contribution during the YOU ASK WE EXPLAIN Podcast, titled “From Innovations and Inspirations: Research in the Interplay of Science and Society.” In the live podcast, she engaged in conversation with Saxony’s Minister of Science, Sebastian Gemko, and Dr. Tim Hentschel, the Director of the Barkhausen Institute, effectively highlighting the importance of transferring science to the economy to a broad audience. Marit Scheuringer and Florian Salomon from the CRTD skillfully moderated the discussion.
Many thanks to all participants for this inspiring and motivating festival!
7th – 8th March 2024 | Conference
IGLD – INSTAND 2024
On March 7 and 8, the doors were opened for the 26th annual symposium of the Interdisciplinary Group for Laboratory Medicine and Flow Cytometry (IGLD), which took place in the beautiful congress hall of Leipzig Zoo.
In two SaxoCell sessions, our PIs Martin Bornhäuser and Uwe Platzbecker as well as Ulrike Köhl and Anja Feldmann chaired, in addition to their own, the presentations by Michael Hudecek, Mathias Hänel, Manavi Jain, Dominik Schmiedel, Kristin Reiche and Torsten Tonn on current topics in immunotherapy and precision medicine from our cluster and discussed them together with the audience. Many thanks to our speakers and chairs!
Our interactions weren’t limited to the sessions; we had the opportunity to connect with numerous conference attendees from diverse backgrounds in medicine, research, and industry, both within the sessions and at our SaxoCell booth.
5th February 2024 | InvestorsClub
First InvestorsClub for Biomedicine & Digital Health by SaxoCell and TUD|excite
In close collaboration with the TU Dresden Excellence Center TUD|excite, SaxoCell launched its very first InvestorsClub in the up-and-coming field of biomedicine & digital health in cooperation with the state government.
A large number of investors and business angels gathered in the prestigious premises of the Saxon State Representation in Berlin to offer the carefully selected seven Saxon teams a platform to present their innovative business models.
Special thanks go to State Minister Oliver Schenk for his inspiring presentation on Saxony’s innovative strength and to the extremely interested investors. Many thanks also go to our spin-off teams for their outstanding presentations, which contributed to an extremely informative and exciting afternoon.
16th January 2024 | Event
SaxoCell meets Politics – Parliamentary Evening in Berlin
On 16 January, representatives from politics, medicine, healthcare and industry discussed how the development and application of cell and gene therapies can be advanced in Saxony at “SaxoCell meets Politics” in Berlin. Minister of State Sebastian Gemkow opened the parliamentary evening, followed by flash talks from SaxoCell speakers, who emphasised the potential of the therapies and pointed out costs and approval hurdles.
Beatrix Schröder, an internist in private practice, shared her impressive experiences with CAR-T cell therapy at Leipzig University Hospital, which had saved her life. Further contributions from industry representatives and politicians shed light on costs and access to innovative therapies.
In a concluding panel discussion, regulatory, financial and structural issues relating to the development, authorisation and application of new forms of therapy were discussed. The evening was moderated by Uwe Platzbecker and Anne-Sophie Kubasch. The organisers thanked all contributors and participants for the interesting contributions and look forward to a continuation of “SaxoCell meets Politics” to deepen the aspects discussed in the field of cell and gene therapy.
23rd November 2023 | Mini-Symposium
SaxoCell Mini-Symposium on Preclinical Research Models
Our 3rd SaxoCell Mini-Symposium focussed on Preclinical Research Models and was held live at CRTD and also offered access to a large online audience.
Our speakers Prof. Renata Stripecke (University Hospital Cologne), Prof. Karsten Kretschmer (CRTD/PLID), Dr. Antje Dietrich (University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus) and Dr. Julia Schüler (Charles River Laboratories) presented on how they use mouse models to evaluate and validate their findings in the fields of CAR-T, Treg cells as well as (radio-)oncology.
The talks were accompanied by a business presentation of Charles River Laboratories who specialise in a range of preclinical and clinical laboratory, gene therapy and cell therapy services for the pharmaceutical, medical technology and biotechnology industries, and provided an insight into their approach.
We thank all speakers and participants for their compelling talks and inspiring questions and for making this such an excellent event!
8th – 9th November 2023 | Conference
LION 2023
Another successful edition of the Leipzig Immune ONcology (LION) conference took place at Fraunhofer IZI and the medical departments of Universität Leipzig – with SaxoCell speakers Ulrike Köhl and Uwe Platzbecker as conference presidents.
It was great to see so many representatives from SaxoCell projects, platforms and hub there!
We heard interesting talks on current topics in cell and immunotherapies, such as CART cells. In addition, keystone talks by Stephan Mielke from Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital Sweden and Andreas Mackensen from Universitätsklinikum Erlangen showed the importance of these innovative ATMPs for cancer and autoimmune patients worldwide. SaxoCell member Frank Buchholz gave a keynote speech on “Genome editing in cancer research”.
26th October 2023 | Press Release
Minister Gemkow visits Leipzig University
As part of Saxony’s “SPIN 2030” science campaign, Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow visited the Medical Department of Leipzig University on October 26, 2023.
Minister Gemkow was presented with innovative therapy options that are being researched in close cooperation with SaxoCell and are already being offered at Saxon hospitals.
12th September 2023 | Foundation
Association SaxoCell e.V. founded
Our SaxoCell Association was founded following this year’s consortium meeting.
13 members completed the foundation on 12 September 2023 in Leipzig.
11th – 12th September 2023 | Meeting
Successful SaxoCell Consortium and SAB Meeting
On September 11 and 12, our SaxoCell cluster came together for its second Consortium and Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Meeting. With about 80 participants on site and more online, we spent two wonderful days full of interesting presentations, discussions and talks.
Apart from delegates of all our projects and platforms, our SAB members as well as representatives of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Projektträger Jülich (PtJ) were present in Leipzig or online and gave us valuable input!
We would like to thank all participants, in particular our SAB members and the representatives from BMBF and PtJ as well as our keynote speaker from BIH, Christof von Kalle!
6th September 2023 | Award
UNIPRENEURS award to SaxoCell member Frank Buchholz
Frank Buchholz was honoured as one of twenty outstanding professors & founders for his achievement in transferring innovation from university to industry.
The award recognises his enormous research success and outstanding contribution to the development of genome editing technology, especially with regard to possible therapeutic applications.
Read full TUD press release here
1st September 2023 | Annual Report 2022/2023
SaxoCell Annual Report 2022/2023 published
Please find the accessible version of our annual report here (pdf).
28th – 31st August 2023 | Workshop
RNA-seq data analysis workshop
Our first RNA-seq data analysis workshop was held in Dresden under the management of our industry partner ecSeq – providing an insight into Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).
For 4 days, participants were trained to understand NGS data formats and handling potential problems & errors. They learned how to create diagnostic graphics & statistics and how to compare different approaches for differential expression analysis.
Right from the start, participants and lecturers enjoyed informative lessons followed by fruitful discussions.
We would like to thank ecSeq Bioinformatics GmbH for successfully training our SaxoCell members!
23rd & 30th June 2023 | Public event
SaxoCell participating at the Science Night
First on 23 June in Leipzig and then a week later on 30 June in Dresden, interested researchers – young and old – had the opportunity to get in touch with us and playfully explore the latest developments in the field of cell and gene therapy.
With the help of a magnetic game, we explained to all visitors how new therapies work, including CAR-T cell therapy. Furthermore, children and adults were able to find out whether their character traits correspond more to a pugnacious natural killer cell, an empathetic T-helper cell or a greedy macrophage with the help of our little immune cell quiz – for which they also received a corresponding button to take home!
29th June 2023 | Competition
Science4Life Venture Cup for our project xMac
Our SaxoCell macrophage project xMac, represented by Anke Fuchs and Ludwig Englmeier, has reached 4th place in the business plan phase of the Science4Life Venture Cup! A great step towards founding a start-up, more will follow.
22nd June 2023 | Competition
SaxoCell@TUD Pitch Battle 2023
Participating teams:
Stefanie Hartmann with MicroAcoustiX
Anthony Gavalas with ISLET poiesis
Barbara Ludwig with ISLET poiesis Kalyptos
Markus Badstübner with the university clinic Dresden’s “AI in Cancer” research group
Jiri Eitler with SMART NK Therapeutics
Jury members:
Dorit Teichmann (dresden|exists)
Martin Bornhäuser (Universitätsklinikum Dresden)
Felix Lansing (Seamless Therapeutics GmbH)
Dejan Husman (denovoMATRIX GmbH)
Winner:
Startup Cancilico
(originating in the university clinic Dresden’s “AI in Cancer” research group, developing state of the art AI-driven tools for cancer diagnostics and response prediction)
Congratulations!
11th May 2023 | Spark meeting
“Mouse models for preclinical validation of immune therapies”
Lecturers: Thomas Grunwald & André-René Blaudszun, Fraunhofer IZI
Online
5th May 2023 | Poster presentation
SaxoCell project NK4Therapy poster presentation at the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association for Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMT)
Poster title: “Development of large-scale expansion protocol for NKG2C-positive NK cells for treatment of glioblastoma”
26th April 2023 | Public event
Reden wir über: Genetik – Open discussion on genetic research
Part of special exhibition “Of genes and human beings” at Deutsches Hygiene-Museum Dresden
With SaxoCell members Prof. Dr. Frank Buchholz and Prof. Dr. Michael Sieweke
DHMD | 6 – 8:30 PM
22nd March 2023 | Press release
Start-up project Makrophagen 2.0 one of the winners of the concept phase of the Science4Life Venture Cup
Award for SaxoCell members Prof. Michael Sieweke, Prof. Martin Bornhäuser, Dr. Anke Fuchs and Dr. Ludwig Englmeier
16th March 2023 | Press release
The TU Dresden spin-off Seamless Therapeutics launches with $12.5M seed financing to advance transformative gene editing platform based on programmable precision designer recombinases in Dresden
10th March 2023 | Workshop
Vom Labor zum Krankenbett: Wie werden Arzneimittel entwickelt?
Workshop for senior pupils
as part of the 2023 UniStem Day at CRTD, TU Dresden
by SaxoCell Hub members Luisa Brückner and Franziska Friebel-Viebach
CRTD | 1:30 – 3 PM
7th March 2023 | Press Release
Chemnitz Hospital introduces CAR T-cell therapy
28th February 2023 | Press Release
35 million EUR from EU and Czech Republic to etablishment of research centre focused on the development of
advanced cell and gene therapies
9th – 11th February 2023 | Conference
EHA – European Hematology Association
5th European CAR T-cell Meeting in Rotterdam & hybrid
Dr. Vladan Vucinic – Talk selected for best application
Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrike Köhl – Invited talk “Advanced concepts for CAR T cell manufacturing”
Prof. Dr. Michael Hudecek – Head of the Meeting
Click here for more information on the EHA conference in Rotterdam
10th February 2023 | Public lecture
Wie Dresdner Forschende Immunzellen gegen Krebs nutzen
Dr. Anja Feldmann | Radioimmunology | HZDR
CRTD and online | 1 PM
28th January 2023 | Press release
ZEGV takes over evaluation for cancer aftercare project supported by the Innovation Fund (SPIZ)
30th December 2022 | Press release
First in Europe: At Leipzig University Hospital (UKL), all CAR T-cell therapy products available in Germany for cancer patients are available in a timely manner
23th December 2022 | Press release
Slovenia to host Centre for the Technologies of Gene and Cell Therapy – CTGCT
24th – 26th October 2022 | Conference
SaxoCell at BIO-Europe 2022 in Leipzig
Visit us at our booth (#100), at the symposium on 10/25/2022 | 11 AM or at Partnering
3rd October 2022 | Public event
“Türen auf mit der Maus”: SaxoCell introduces itself
CRTD | 9 AM – 1 PM
Click here for more information about “Türen auf mit der Maus”
12th September 2022 | Public lecture
The potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) in the treatment of severe diseases.
Prof. Mario Rüdiger | Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine | Dresden University Hospital
CRTD and online | 4 PM
11th July 2022 | Public lecture
“Triff die Koryphäe unter der Konifere”: Natural killer cells as a cell-based therapeutic agent against cancer and autoimmune diseases
Prof. Torsten Tonn | Transfusion Medicine | University Hospital Dresden
Botanical Garden Dresden | 3:30 PM
11th July 2022 | Public lecture
Immunotherapy in blood cancer – status and perspectives
Prof. Uwe Platzbecker | Hematology and Cell Therapy | University Hospital Leipzig
University Hospital Leipzig | House 7 and online | 1 PM
8th July 2022 | Long Night of Science
SaxoCell at the Long Night of Science at the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD)
CRTD | 5 PM
2nd June 2022 | Discussion pannel
Participation of Prof. Ulrike Köhl and Prof. Ezio Bonifacio in the health forum of the Tagesspiegel under the topic: “Gene and cell therapies: Germany on the way to becoming a frontrunner?”
31st May 2022 | Meeting
Kick-off of the first seven future clusters: The innovation networks meet to exchange experiences in Berlin
More information about the Clusters4Future meeting in Berlin can be found here
17th May 2022 | Annual Report 2021
SaxoCell Annual Report 2021 published
Please find the accessible version of our annual report here (pdf)
4th – 7th May 2022 | Conference
SaxoCell at the Annual Meeting of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy in San Francisco
Meet us in partnering at the ISCT
4th – 5th May 2022 | Conference
SaxoCell at the German Biotechnology Days in Hamburg
Meet us at our SaxoCell booth
Click here for more info about the German Biotechnology Days 2022
28th April 2022 | Public lecture
New perspectives in cell therapy
Prof. Dr. Martin Bornhäuser | Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital Dresden
CRTD and online | 5 PM
27th April 2022 | Public lecture
Lecture on the advancement of women in science as part of DGFI’s Lady Mary Montagu Lecture Series.
Prof. Ulrike Köhl | Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology & the Institute for Clinical Immunology at Leipzig University
Online | 4 PM
20th – 22nd April 2022 | Conference
SaxoCell at ARM-Med: Cell and gene meeting at the Mediterranean in Barcelona
Meet SaxoCell at ARM-Med in Partnering and attend our presentation on 04/21/2022 at 10 AM.
Please find more information about ARM-Med 2022 in Barcelona here
21st January 2022 | Press release
Designer recombinase can precisely correct disease-related gene defect in severe form of hemophilia A
18th November 2021 | Press release
BMBF cluster of the future SaxoCell explores therapeutic options for previously incurable diseases
3nd February 2021 | Press release
Living Medicines: The SaxoCell Innovation Network is one of the Winners of the First BMBF Future Cluster Round
4th May 2020 | Press release
Go-ahead for the concept phase: From excellent science to application – with the SaxoCell innovation project in the BMBF “Clusters4Future” competition
28th February 2020 | Press release
Innovation project SaxoCell in the final of the “Clusters4Future” competition: With “living medicines” against cancer and other widespread diseases
To the press release on the website of the University of Leipzig
5th February 2020 | Press release
These are the finalists in the competition for the innovation networks of the future: Clusters4Future: Jury recommends 16 applications for funding.
Social Media
Contact us
Dr. Maren Henneken
Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technical University of Dresden
CONTACT
SaxoCell press team
E-mail: press@saxocell.de
Präzisionstherapie-Cluster
