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Pathways to Innovation

Discover how our researchers are turning their discoveries into clinical applications

An illustration depicting the different steps that need to be taken to bring a novel stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s Disease, STEM-PD, from the lab to the clinic. Illustration by Katrine Bech Lauritzen.
An illustration depicting the different steps that need to be taken to bring a novel therapy from the lab to the clinic. By Katrine Bech Lauritzen.

At the Lund Stem Cell Center, innovation is at the heart of what we do. Our researchers are advancing science and finding new ways to bring discoveries from the bench to the bedside.

This series takes a closer look at their journeys—exploring how they have turned research findings into therapies, startups, and clinical applications, and highlighting the challenges they have faced, the successes they have celebrated, and the impact they aim to create.

 

Photo from stem cell transplantation at Skåne University Hospital. Source: Skåne University Hospital.

A closer look at the making of a novel stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

The STEM-PD clinical trial is testing a stem cell-based therapy product developed by Malin Parmar, Agnete Kirkeby and collaborators, which aims to replace lost dopamine cells in Parkinson’s Disease. Success in the initial Phase I/IIa trial could lead to further trials and product development by Novo Nordisk A/S.

Read more about the development of STEM-PD.

Photo of two researchers looking at a petri dish together.

Developing a Gene Therapy for a Rare Blood Disorder

Johan Flygare co-founded Apriligen, Inc. with CEO Nicholas Vita to develop gene therapies for Diamond-Blackfan Anemia (DBA). With clinical trials ahead, they’re bridging academia and innovation.

Read more about their journey from science to startup.

Photo of Filipe Pereira in the lab.

An academic startup’s journey from lab discovery to cancer therapy

Filipe Pereira and his team made an important discovery when they reprogrammed skin cells into dendritic cells, immune cells key to fighting against cancer. This led to Asgard Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on cancer therapies.

Read about the journey from lab discovery to cancer therapy.

Photo of Emma Hammarlund in the lab.

Hair analysis to find cancer at an early stage

Researcher Emma Hammarlund realized that geological measurement methods can also be used for medical purposes. With a simple hair sample, she hopes to find cancer at an early stage. First in the study are prostate cancer and breast cancer. Now her project has been selected for the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences' (IVA) 100 list.

Read more about this innovative idea and how it could benefit society.

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