LUMC and Ixaka announce collaboration to advance cell therapy development
More news & updates
Janssen COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in EU on March 11
The Janssen-Cilag International N.V COVID-19 vaccine has received authorization for emergency use by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on March 11. Developed with fundamental support from the Molecular Virology group of the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), it is the fourth vaccine to be administered in the European Union. The Netherlands has ordered more than 11 million vaccine doses.
Studying abroad during a pandemic
For many students from the LUMC’s academic programmes, studying abroad is an indispensable experience. Doing part of your studies abroad is a special experience, not only because of the sense of adventure of being abroad, also to develop a broader perspective on Life Sciences & Health, a highly international field. So, you can imagine the LUMC’s International Office’s struggle to have to tell students ‘no’ for a study experience abroad in the midst of the corona pandemic. In addition, the many lockdowns worldwide increased the workload dramatically for the International Office. Evelien Hack, Head of the International Office and Sandra van Deursen, senior administrative assistant, share how corona has impacted studying abroad.
LUMC and Ixaka announce collaboration to advance cell therapy development
The Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and Ixaka Ltd. have announced a research collaboration on 30 March 2021, to better understand REX-001, Ixaka’s lead cell therapy product. The project will be led by Professor Paul Quax, Head of Experimental Vascular Surgery at the LUMC, to support accelerated development of REX-001 in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).
CLTI is a life-threatening vascular disease caused by a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, which limits the adequate flow of blood and oxygen to a specific part of the body, such as the leg muscles. According to Quax: “there are not many available options to treat the disease as it progresses and the current procedures to manage symptoms of CLTI at advanced stages are often unsuitable or ineffective”. For example, cutting-edge methods such as the use of minimally-invasive catheters and surgical reconstruction do not help in restoring blood flow or preventing major amputations. “This has created a critical need for new and innovative therapies”, highlights Quax.
