A new lecture series is organised at LIH by its Research Knowledge Transfer Office. It focuses on the actors and majors challenges of biomedical research and innovation through testimonials of researchers-entrepreneurs.

Twelve lectures of a duration of one and a half hour are planned to take place at the conference room of the House of BioHealth in Esch-sur-Alzette in 2017/2018. This lecture series is supported by the Luxemburg National Research Fund through the Knowledge and Innovation Transfer (KITS) funding scheme. It is divided into two main parts. Part A termed “Research results at the centre of the therapeutic revolution”, spanning from May to October 2017, will present how results from academic research can be transferred into clinical applications and explain the general process behind that transfer. Part B, spanning from November 2017 to June 2018, will provide scientists with key tools to define, mature and realise their applied research projects.

The inaugural lecture was held on 19^th May and chaired by Prof Markus Ollert, Director of the Department of Infection and Immunity. LIH had the pleasure of welcoming Prof Agnes Bernet, professor at the University Claude Bernard in Lyon, France, who talked about the different steps she went through to transfer her scientific findings to the clinic. In 2008, Prof Bernet co-founded the start-up Netris Pharma, of which she is now the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).  Netris Pharma is a pioneer company specialised in identification and development of therapeutic molecules and more specifically monoclonal antibodies for cancer treatment targeting dependence receptors.

During the lecture entitled “The Dependence Receptor concept: from cell biology to clinical trial” she shared her fascinating entrepreneurial experience from first discoveries on dependence receptors to first patient inclusions in Netris Pharma’s clinical trials.

Link to lecture series programme