JAFRAL Contributes to Europe’s First Gene Immunotherapy Trial for Basal Cell Carcinoma
JAFRAL is proud to announce its role as the GMP manufacturer in Europe’s first clinical trial of gene immunotherapy for basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
The Phase I trial, conducted under the SmartGene.si project and led by the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, successfully demonstrated the safety and efficacy of an innovative interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene therapy. This novel approach involves injecting the genetic code for IL-12 directly into patient cells using electroporation, offering a promising new path in the fight against cancer.
As part of this groundbreaking work, JAFRAL contributed its expertise in biomanufacturing and process development, ensuring high-quality drug production fully compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
The project brought together leading Slovenian institutions and companies, including the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Cobik, Iskra PIO, JAFRAL, Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, and the Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. Together, this collaboration highlights Slovenia’s strong commitment to advancing biomedical innovation.
This achievement marks an important milestone in gene therapy and opens the door to further advancements in clinical applications, bringing new hope to patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. Continued collaboration between research institutions and industry partners will be key in transforming innovative therapies into accessible treatments for patients worldwide.
