BioMed X has announced a new joint research project with Ono Pharmaceutical, marking the start of the collaboration between the German biomedical research institute and one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Japan.

The project entitled 'New Strategies to Engage Neutrophils in Solid Tumours' will be hosted by the BioMed X Institute in Heidelberg, Germany. The goal of this research project is to design next-generation immunotherapies by leveraging the antitumour effects of neutrophils.

Developing immunotherapies that target T cells has proved highly effective, and it is still a rapidly evolving research area. However, many patients remain resistant to these therapies, necessitating the development of novel immunological strategies.

The presence of neutrophils in solid tumours has been well-documented, albeit their role in the tumour microenvironment seems to be paradoxical according to the data accumulated thus far. By uncovering novel neutrophil biology, this project aims to leverage their functions to design novel immunotherapies.

The new research team will join nine other research groups at the BioMed X Institute in Heidelberg, Germany. 

Toichi Takino, Senior Executive Officer/Executive Director, Discovery & Research at Ono Pharmaceutical: “This innovative research collaboration will engage us with highly talented scientists around the world who possess unique ideas for immunotherapy utilising neutrophils."