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12.23.22

Year in Review: PICI Progress in 2022

Scientific achievements, network growth and partnership launches cap year of cancer-fighting advances

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI), the world’s largest network of immuno-oncology experts, is breaking down barriers to make real progress toward ending cancer as we know it.

The past year was no exception, replete with moments that marked the PICI Network’s ongoing and accumulative efforts to accelerate the development of breakthrough immune therapies to turn all cancers into curable diseases

Below, in no particular order, are 10 highlights from 2022.

Progress Against Pancreatic Cancer

Researchers identified certain patients with pancreatic cancer who may be more likely to benefit from combination treatment regimens consisting of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. The data, which stemmed from a long-term collaboration between academia, biotech, pharma and nonprofits within the PICI Network, were simultaneously presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Alliance for Next-Gen Immunotherapies

PICI and National Resilience, a technology-focused biomanufacturing company dedicated to broadening access to complex medicines, launched a strategic alliance to develop next-generation cancer therapies generated from PICI’s network of leading immunotherapy research centers.

Funding the Future of Cancer Research

In partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research, PICI announced its largest Early Career Researchers award class yet. Nine exceptional researchers from leading academic institutions are receiving up to $4.5 million to fund their immunotherapy research. The nine awards include our first Representation In SciencE (RISE) Scholar award, part of PICI’s ongoing commitment to diversity and equity in the STEM workforce. 

PICI Network at #SITC22

Eight PICI-led studies were featured at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), with presentations across bioinformatics, translational and clinical research.

Accelerating Access to Clinical Trial Services

We announced our collaboration with LumaBridge offering the PICI Network a one-stop shop to advance research studies and accelerate the development of novel immune therapies for patients.

3T Biosciences Sets Sail

3T Biosciences, founded by PICI Network members in a Stanford University lab in 2017 to harness the body’s immune system to fight cancer, launched with $40 million in additional financing to advance its protein-engineering techniques.

PICI Network at #AACRpan22

PICI Network members presented the latest findings in pancreatic cancer research at a special conference on pancreatic cancer hosted by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

Arsenal Bio Exemplifies Collaboration

Begun as a conversation at a PICI Network scientific retreat four years ago, Arsenal Biosciences this year announced a partnership with Genentech, as well as $220 million in Series B financing — exemplifying the collaborative work of researchers brought together by PICI.

Taking a Top Prize

There is nothing quite like taking top honors, which Carolyn Bertozzi, PhD, of Stanford University did when she deservedly won the Nobel Prize. PICI is a proud past supporter of her work and an admirer of her ongoing efforts to benefit humanity.

Expanding Our Expertise

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Gladstone Institutes joined the PICI Network, each bringing unique strengths to our unprecedented collaboration to accelerate breakthrough treatments for cancer patients.

Read more in STAT+ (subscription required).

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