Researchers from the Departement of oncology UNIL-CHUV, selected through a competitive process, receive support from InnoTREK for venturing into the business world with their innovative project NADUP.
The InnoTREK grant, managed by PACTT and financially supported by FIT (Fondation pour l’Innovation Technologique) through the InnoPACTT fund, continues to empower groundbreaking research.
NADUP, the brainchild of Dr Helen Carrasco Hope and Dr Pierpaolo Ginefra, both postdocs in Nicola Vannini Lab at the University of Lausanne and the Lausanne Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, has secured a CHF 100,000 FIT InnoTREK grant for its remarkable work in advancing CAR-T cell therapy. This therapy, successful in younger demographics, faces challenges in older individuals. Dr Carrasco Hope and Dr Ginefra, with their commitment to defining optimal rejuvenation strategies, aim to revolutionize CAR-T cell therapies, potentially enhancing their efficacy.
The pioneering approach of NADUP, holds promise in significantly improving the effectiveness of existing and upcoming cancer therapies. By addressing limitations in CAR-T cell therapy, their work opens new avenues for treating various cancers and diseases.
Since its inception in 2013, the InnoTREK grant has supported 34 laureates from UNIL and CHUV. This grant is designed to accelerate innovation and the creation of spin-offs from UNIL-CHUV, and to encourage researchers with innovative ideas to embark on the adventure of entrepreneurship.