The Medical University of Vienna and the medical technology company Therakos are launching a seven-year research partnership to further develop extracorporeal photopheresis in transplant medicine. A total of €4.2 million in funding has been allocated for this initiative.
The project is led by Alberto Benazzo and is scientifically supported by Peter Jaksch and Thomas Wekerle. Its aim is to further investigate the immunological mechanisms of action of this cell-based therapy in solid organ transplantation—such as kidney, liver, heart, or lung—and, in the long term, to enable improved therapeutic strategies and better care for patients after organ transplantation.
Alberto Benazzo: "The transplantation of solid organs such as kidneys, livers, hearts or lungs requires a lifelong balance between sufficient immunosuppression and the preservation of general immune function. Extracorporeal photopheresis is a promising procedure in this regard, which we intend to develop further together with our corporate partner."