Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy

What Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy does

The Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) is a non-profit German research institute based in Regensburg, operating under the Leibniz Association framework and academically affiliated with the University of Regensburg. It is organized into three integrated research areas — Discovery, Translation, and Clinical Application — and develops engineered immune-cell therapies (CAR T, Tregs, TSCM-enriched products) and synthetic / pharmacologic cell-reprogramming approaches for cancer, autoimmunity, and chronic inflammation. Its scientific portfolio includes four proprietary platforms: TRUCKs (CAR T cells engineered as 'living factories' producing transgenic therapeutic proteins), AIR (synthetic immune receptors that reprogram regulatory T cells), TSCM-enriched CAR T therapy, and MSC-mediated mitochondrial transfer for boosting T-cell memory.

LIT's technology stack is supported by an in-house GMP cell-manufacturing facility (the José-Carreras-Center, with a designated Qualified Person) and shared core facilities spanning FACS analytics, next-generation sequencing, advanced instrumentation, and immune monitoring. Its clinical translation arm includes Clinical Studies, a Clinical Pipeline, GCP and Regulatory Affairs, and a 'Partnerships with Industry' program that supports co-development, sponsored research, and technology transfer of LIT inventions. Revenue and operating capacity derive principally from public institutional funding via the Leibniz Association (federal and state governments), supplemented by external grants, sponsored clinical studies, industry partnerships and licensing, and a $2.8M external funding event (May 2024).

LIT has no direct-to-consumer or commercial product sales channel; its 'customers' are patients enrolled in sponsored clinical trials (notably a Phase I TSCM-enriched CAR T trial co-led with the US National Cancer Institute that yielded 5/11 complete remissions, published in Cell on 30 April 2026), industry partners licensing its inventions, and academic trainees in Bachelor through Postdoctoral programs. The institute's most material recent milestones include the 2026 Cell publication, the launch of the LIT/DRFZ Joint Group 'Experimental Cell Therapy' for rheumatology (15 June 2026), and the hosting of the International LIT Symposium in Regensburg (23–24 June 2026).

Name

Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy

Legal name

Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy

Website

https://rcii.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) is a non-profit German research institute in Regensburg that develops engineered immune-cell therapies — including TSCM-enriched CAR T, TRUCKs, and Treg-reprogramming platforms — for cancer, autoimmunity, and chronic inflammation, supported by an on-site GMP manufacturing center and clinical translation infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immunotherapy Research & Cell Therapy Development

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies (HLAAABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cell Therapy Enabling Technologies (gene editing, cell engineering, delivery methods) (HLAAABAL), Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAB)

Keywords

• Immunotherapy research
• Cell therapy development
• CAR T-cell therapy
• Translational immunology
• Clinical translation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Regensburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public / institutional research funding (Leibniz Association model): As a Leibniz Institute, LIT is principally funded by public institutional sources (federal and state governments via the Leibniz Association) to conduct basic and translational research in immune regulation, immune metabolism, cancer, and tissue homeostasis. Funds support the Discovery and Translation research areas.
2. Technology transfer, licensing and industry partnerships: Revenue/impact generated through a dedicated Technology Transfer track ('Inventions') and explicit 'Partnerships with Industry' program, supporting licensing, sponsored research, and co-development of LIT inventions such as AIR biosensors and TRUCKs CAR T-cell platforms.
3. Clinical study and GCP services: Revenue from sponsored clinical studies conducted at LIT, supported by in-house GCP and Regulatory Affairs infrastructure (José-Carreras-Center), where LIT acts as sponsor site and qualified manufacturing/clinical operator for partner-sponsored trials.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) operates a three-tier translational research platform (Discovery → Translation → Clinical Application) that develops immune-cell therapies for cancer, autoimmunity, and chronic inflammation. Its core offering is the LIT Clinical Pipeline & Clinical Translation Program, which converts preclinical cell-therapy discoveries into early-phase clinical trials using a GMP-compliant manufacturing site (José-Carreras-Center), supported by proprietary platforms such as TRUCKs, AIR synthetic biosensors, and a TSCM-enriched CAR T-cell therapy.

Product overview

The Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) is a research organization — not a software product vendor — that operates as a three-tier platform spanning Discovery, Translation, and Clinical Application research areas. Its core offering is the LIT Clinical Pipeline & Clinical Translation Program, which converts preclinical discoveries into early-phase clinical trials, supported by shared Scientific Facilities & Cores (e.g., the GMP-compliant José-Carreras-Center for cell manufacturing, FACS Analytics and Cell Sorting, NGS and Data Technologies, Advanced Instrumentation, and Immune Monitoring). On top of this platform, LIT maintains an active portfolio of featured research programs — including AIR (Artificial Immune Receptors) for reprogramming Tregs, TRUCKs (CAR T cells engineered as 'living factories'), Boosting T-Cell Memory by Mitochondrial Transfer, and the Stem Cell Memory (TSCM) CAR T Therapy clinical asset — organized through its Research Divisions & Cooperation Groups (e.g., Interventional Immunology, Genetic Immunotherapy, Functional Immune Cell Modulation, Tailored T-Cell Diversity). These assets and divisions feed the institute's clinical pipeline, which is complemented by Technology Transfer & Inventions (industry partnerships), GCP and Regulatory Affairs, and LIT Education & Training Programs affiliated with the University of Regensburg.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LIT Clinical Pipeline & Clinical Translation Program The institute's clinical translation arm covering Clinical Studies, Clinical Pipeline, Partnerships with Industry, and GCP and Regulatory Affairs. It supports development and roll-out of early clinical trials based on LIT's preclinical cell-therapy discoveries for biopharma sponsors, academic collaborators, and clinical investigators.
• Stem Cell Memory (TSCM) CAR T Therapy A CAR-T-cell therapy enriched with stem-cell memory T cells (TSCM), developed in collaboration with the US National Cancer Institute. In a first-in-world Phase I trial it achieved complete remission at low doses (250,000 cells/kg) without chemotherapy preconditioning, with greater expansion, persistence, and a milder safety profile than conventional CAR-T therapy. Targeted at biopharma partners and clinical investigators treating difficult-to-treat hematologic cancers with planned expansion into solid tumors.
• AIR — Artificial Immune Receptors (Biosensors for Inflammation) Synthetic biosensors developed by LIT's Division of Immunology that equip regulatory T cells (Tregs) with a novel inflammation-sensing mechanism, translating environmental cues into a dependent TCR-activation program to reprogram Tregs for therapeutic use. Available for licensing and co-development with biopharma partners.
• TRUCKs — CAR T Cells Engineered as 'Living Factories' CAR T cells engineered with both a chimeric antigen receptor and an inducible expression cassette so that CAR signaling triggers production of a therapeutic transgenic protein at the organ of interest, treating the cells as 'living factories' rather than solely as 'living drugs'. Available for licensing and co-development with biopharma partners.
• Boosting T-Cell Memory by Mitochondrial Transfer Research program investigating how mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in bone marrow and peripheral lymphoid organs promote T-cell memory and longevity, including mitochondrial-transfer mechanisms, to enhance persistence of therapeutic T cells. Available for licensing and co-development with biopharma partners.
• Technology Transfer & Inventions Program Formal program for moving LIT inventions and intellectual property toward industry partnerships and commercialization, including licensing of AIR biosensors, TRUCKs CAR T-cell platforms, TSCM-enriched CAR T-cell products, and mitochondrial-transfer-based T-cell memory boosting.
• José-Carreras-Center (JCC) — GMP-compliant Cell Manufacturing & Clinical-grade Cell Therapy Facility On-campus GMP-compliant cell-manufacturing and clinical-grade cell-therapy facility at LIT, directed by Prof. Matthias Edinger (Qualified Person). Functions as LIT's manufacturing arm for clinical-grade cell therapies, supporting both LIT-sponsored clinical trials and industry-sponsored manufacturing engagements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 of 11 patients with difficult-to-treat blood cancers achieved complete remission; 1 additional patient achieved partial remission using TSCM-enriched CAR T therapy at low dose without chemotherapy preconditioning (Phase I, LIT + NCI).
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and important.

• DRFZ (German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2026Joint establishment of the LIT / DRFZ Joint Group 'Experimental Cell Therapy' to transfer research into practice for patients with rheumatic diseases. Announced on 15.06.2026, the group extends LIT's cell-therapy expertise into rheumatology in collaboration with DRFZ.
• University of RegensburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional affiliation: LIT is linked to the University of Regensburg from its Regensburg campus, and the university's site is referenced from LIT's website footer. The partnership supports joint research, education (Bachelor, Master, MD, PhD programs), and scientific collaboration.
• US National Cancer Institute (NCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leadership of the world-first clinical trial of TSCM-enriched CAR-T-cell therapy, with results published in Cell on 30 April 2026 (5/11 complete remissions in patients with difficult-to-treat blood cancers). The collaboration spans clinical design, execution, and translational research between LIT in Germany and NCI in the US.
• Industry partners (biopharma / cell therapy developers)importantGTM or Marketing PartnerLIT operates a dedicated 'Partnerships with Industry' program under its Clinical Translation track to co-develop and commercialize LIT-originated therapies. Specific partner names are not disclosed in the source material.
• José-Carreras-Center (JCC)coreOthersOn-campus GMP cell-manufacturing and clinical-grade facility within LIT, directed by Prof. Matthias Edinger who also serves as Qualified Person of the JCC; functions as LIT's manufacturing arm for clinical-grade cell therapies.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Adaptimmune Therapeutics: Clinical-stage cell therapy company developing engineered TCR-T cell therapies for solid tumors; comparable to LIT as a focused cell-therapy player working on next-generation engineered T-cell products, though structured as a commercial biotech rather than a research institute.
• Poseida Therapeutics: Clinical-stage cell therapy company developing CAR-T products enriched for stem cell memory T cells (TSCM) — the same biology underpinning LIT's lead clinical asset — and non-viral transposon-based manufacturing; directly comparable to LIT in the TSCM-CAR-T niche and in pushing CAR-T into solid tumors.
• Cellectis: Clinical-stage gene editing and allogeneic CAR-T company with proprietary TALEN gene-editing platform for cell engineering; comparable to LIT in developing cell-engineering enabling technologies (gene editing, synthetic receptor design) underpinning engineered CAR-T and Treg products.

Direct peers

• Abramson Cancer Center (University of Pennsylvania): Originating institution of CAR-T cell therapy (with Novartis); directly comparable to LIT in combining bench research in T-cell biology with GMP manufacturing and clinical trials of engineered T-cell products.
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: US-based non-profit cancer research center with major CAR-T and adoptive cell therapy programs; directly comparable to LIT in mission (translational immunotherapy), operating model (public-funded research institute with clinical translation), and scientific focus (engineered T cells for cancer).
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Pioneering CAR-T research institution whose science underpinned the first FDA-approved CAR-T therapy (Kymriah); directly comparable to LIT as an academic medical center running translational CAR-T programs and publishing world-first clinical results.
• MD Anderson Cancer Center: Large US cancer center with extensive CAR-T, TCR-T, and adoptive cell therapy clinical programs and in-house cell therapy manufacturing; comparable to LIT in scale and breadth of cell-therapy pipeline across hematologic and solid tumors.

Regional players

• Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC): Berlin-based Helmholtz research center with strong programs in immunology, single-cell technologies, and translational medicine; comparable to LIT as a publicly funded German research institute with translational pipelines into cell-based therapeutics.
• Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin: Germany's largest university hospital with active cell and gene therapy programs including CAR-T trials; directly comparable to LIT as a German academic medical center working on engineered immune-cell therapies for cancer and inflammatory disease.
• Helmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München): German public research center in the Helmholtz Association (the sister network to Leibniz) conducting immunology and cell-therapy research; comparable to LIT in funding model (public institutional), translational orientation, and disease focus (immune-mediated diseases, oncology).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy