LICR, CHUV and UNIL extend their collaboration and renew their partnership

The Canton of Vaud, the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR) have signed a new agreement. This agreement extends the presence of the Ludwig branch in Lausanne and strengthens their collaboration. This partnership has already attracted world-renowned scientists in the field of cancer. It will support fundamental and translational research in immunotherapy and the tumour microenvironment.

With this renewal, the LICR reaffirms its long-term commitment to Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud. The institute had already confirmed its involvement in 2015 by establishing the current collaboration between the Canton, the CHUV and the UNIL. It also appointed Professor Coukos to head the Ludwig branch, with the mission of stimulating cutting-edge research in cancer immunology and cell therapy. Ten years later, this new agreement continues this shared vision, while refocusing it on fundamental and translational research.

Since 2015, the partnership between the LICR, the CHUV and the UNIL has been based on three components: fundamental research; the human tumour immunology discovery engine (Hi-TiDE); and the clinical translation of new therapies at the CHUV.

What is changing for the 2025–2029 period

The new agreement builds on the translational oncology research infrastructure developed between the CHUV and UNIL. Scientific breakthroughs are needed to enable patients to benefit from new therapies. These can only occur within the framework of rigorous and in-depth academic research, which will be strengthened by the full integration of the Ludwig branch into UNIL, where new interdisciplinary collaborations are expected to emerge.

The new agreement builds on lessons learned by directing resources towards areas with the greatest clinical and scientific potential. The aim is to focus efforts on projects with the most promising outcomes for patients and the most immediate translational potential. The LICR’s commitment to laboratory innovations should generate new therapeutic advances. These can be transferred to the CHUV clinic, benefiting patients in the Canton of Vaud and beyond.

A new governance structure

The former Department of Oncology has been reorganised to create a Department of Clinical Oncology at the CHUV and a Department of Fundamental Oncology at the UNIL. The latter will host the Ludwig Lausanne branch. This new organisation will strengthen the links between clinical and fundamental research, under the joint leadership of the CHUV and the UNIL.

A shared ambition for the future

The CHUV is committed to expanding clinical trials to other therapeutic areas, such as onco-haematology, immunology and paediatrics. The Centre for Experimental Therapies (CTE), which has been integrated and strengthened within the Innovation and Research Department, will provide a clinical framework for the development and testing of new treatments. Efforts will focus in particular on immunology and paediatrics. This new strategic direction is the best guarantee for developing new therapies for cancer patients in the Canton of Vaud, whether adults or children.

➡️ Source: Press Release Etat de Vaud | 📸 © CHUV