Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy

PICI portfolio company, @Xaira_Thera, shared its first AI model, X-Cell, designed to predict how cells respond to genetic changes, & shows early signs of generalizing to unseen biology, pointing to a more predictive approach to drug discovery. bit.ly/4bqgrRm

We’re excited to welcome Bolyn Hubby to PICI as Chief of Staff. With 20+ years of biotech leadership across immunology, infectious disease, and cancer immunotherapy, she will help drive strategy and execution as we advance transformative cancer research. bit.ly/3Q0mhAk

Researchers at @UCLA & @StanfordMed, working with the PICI network, developed a new way to boost T cells against prostate cancer - showing a single amino acid change can enhance tumor killing while maintaining precision. bit.ly/4sQ8ASE

PICI CEO @DrKarenKnudsen recently sat down with @OncoDaily to speak about the work with ASCO & Conquer Cancer to co-fund the Endowed Young Investigator Award, which is supporting the next generation of cancer immunotherapy leaders. Listen here: bit.ly/4qU1nj5

Last week, we wrapped up our 2nd PICI Symposium at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute! PICI Leadership, @DrKarenKnudsen, @John_E_Connolly, Mark Veich, and more joined @DanaFarber to celebrate collaboration & progress advancing next-gen Cancer Immunotherapy.

We’re thrilled to welcome Alice Pomponio to PICI as SVP, Corporate Development and Strategic Partnerships. An innovation & impact investing leader across life sciences & venture strategy, Alice will help guide our mission to drive transformative cancer research.

Cancer death rates have dropped by over a third since 1991. In @TheCancerLetter, PICI CEO @DrKarenKnudsen explains how advances in immunotherapy are improving survival and why sustained investment in research is critical for momentum. bit.ly/41767HH

Thanks @PharmacyTimes, @TargetedOnc, & @CUREtoday for covering a @UCLAHealth clinical trial led by PICI investigator @AntoniRibas, showing promising neoadjuvant immunotherapy results for desmoplastic melanoma bit.ly/4sD5Lo7 bit.ly/40kUmNJ bit.ly/4bgGM2V

Thank you to @GevTamamyan & Cancer World Magazine for featuring @DrKarenKnudsen on the cover of the March issue, highlighting her journey from genetics research to leading PICI, guided by her belief that science must move at the speed of patients’ needs. bit.ly/46PVX1z

PICI researcher Judith Agudo, PhD, from @DanaFarber & colleagues published research in @Nature that highlights a way to harness the immune system to eliminate metastasizing tumor cells, potentially stopping the metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer. bit.ly/4rLuOFj

Congrats to @DispatchBio on being named Emerging Company of the Year by @LifeSciencesPA at their Annual Dinner & Showcase. A well-deserved recognition for a company pushing innovation forward in biotech!

Congrats to PICI researcher Dr. Catherine Wu of @DanaFarber on being part of the @CancerGrand ILLUMINE team, awarded $25M to explore the cancer dark proteome, research that could uncover entirely new targets for cancer treatment. bit.ly/4d1AxSV

PICI researcher Kai Wucherpfennig, MD, PhD, of @DanaFarber’s research shows a single injection of an oncolytic virus can trigger lasting T cell immunity against glioblastoma. Read more about the study and its impact here: bit.ly/4suBcRe

On @NewsNation’s CUOMO, PICI CEO @DrKarenKnudsen joined “Why Can’t We Cure Cancer?” to discuss the gap between discovery and patient access. The issue isn’t ideas, it’s funding, infrastructure, & clinical pathways needed to turn breakthroughs into cures. bit.ly/46C0Efk

PICI CSO @John_E_Connolly, joined the @Biocom California Global Life Science Partnering & Investor Conference to discuss “Feeding the Pipeline,” how translational research, investment, and partnerships turn bold discoveries into patient impact. #BiocomGPIC bit.ly/4kWwlpz

Tonight, PICI CEO @DrKarenKnudsen will join @ChrisCuomo on @NewsNation’s CUOMO for a conversation: “Why Can’t We Cure Cancer?” Karen will join industry leaders to discuss the scientific, clinical, & policy challenges that continue to hinder cancer cures. bit.ly/4cjEamW

This week, PICI CEO @DrKarenKnudsen joined the @nixonfoundation @MilkenInstitute Cancer 2035: A Roadmap for the Future event to discuss how today’s scientific capabilities can drive the next era of cancer progress. Read more: milkeninstitute.org/cancer-2035-ro…

Excited to share that Bob Purcell has joined PICI as Chief Communications Officer. As a seasoned communications leader with experience in life sciences and health technology, Bob will push our mission to develop and deliver breakthrough cancer therapies. bit.ly/3ZW6a8M

Congratulations to PICI researcher Dr. Catherine Wu on being named to the 2026 @TIME 100 Health list. At PICI, we’re proud to support research that unlocks the power of the immune system to turn all cancers into curable diseases. @DanaFarber bit.ly/4crH497

New research from PICI researcher Lili Yang, PhD & the @UCLA team identifies the optimal design for engineered NKT cell immunotherapies, a promising step toward off-the-shelf treatments for solid tumors. Read more here: bit.ly/4aAj6HL