With each of our innovator stories, we get a chance to meet the people behind EU-funded ideas, which have the potential to change our future for the better.
This time, we had the opportunity to speak with Robert Aleksandrowicz, MD, CEO of Cellis, the standout winner of the 10th Innovation Radar Prize 2024.
Robert presented the company’s revolutionary cell-based immunotherapy that reprogrammes a tumour’s microenvironment, breaking drug resistance in multiple aggressive cancers. Offering genuine hope for patients, this innovation has the potential to transform cancer from a death sentence into a treatable condition.
The Polish startup has received over €10M in EU funding.
“Our vision is clear: we see MDC technology as a game-changer in oncology and immunotherapy. The success of our clinical trials has the potential to bring hope to millions of patients worldwide.“
Tell us more about yourself and your work?
Cellis is a company built around a groundbreaking discovery by our team of scientists. Their research revealed how macrophages use the TRAIN mechanism (TRAnsfer of Iron-binding proteiN) to transfer ferritin into cancer cells in a highly efficient manner. They identified the receptor responsible for ferritin uptake by macrophages and also the molecular mechanism of TRAIN. Ferritin is a protein that can be easily linked to various drugs, such as anti-cancer agents. Moreover, they discovered that once macrophages transfer this ferritin-drug complex, cancer cells are killed, and macrophages begin to phagocytose cancer cell debris, present tumor-specific antigens, and activate the immune system. This process transforms the “cold” immune tumour environment into a “hot” one.
This discovery has enabled the creation of the first-ever cell-based “Trojan Horse,” capable of delivering therapeutic payloads and activating the immune system to combat cancer.
What problem is your product solving and what makes its solution unique?
We are addressing one of the most challenging areas in oncology: solid tumours, which remain an unmet medical need. Our preclinical experiments have demonstrated that administering a small dose of a selected drug through our Macrophage Drug Conjugate (MDC) can significantly activate the immune system, leading to tumour elimination and resistance to regrowth.
This unique “Trojan Horse” mechanism allows a small dose of MDC to unlock the immune system’s potential to fight cancer. What sets our solution apart is its reliance on harnessing natural biological processes rather than creating artificial structures. Importantly, this process is specific to malignant cells, ensuring selective cancer cell killing. This approach helps us avoid many issues related to toxicity and unexpected side effects.
How did you start your journey, and where are you now on the road to achieving your ambition?
Everything began with the discovery of the TRAIN mechanism. It started with a 15-minute video from a confocal microscope, showing the intensive transfer of ferritin protein to cancer cells. Shortly after, the founding scientists and the seeding investor, Twiti Investments, established a company to explore the potential of this discovery as a viable therapeutic platform.
Today, we have achieved outstanding preclinical results and are preparing to begin Phase 1 clinical trials in 2025.
What’s the biggest impact EU-funding has had on your journey so far, and can you specify an outcome? (Please mention how much EU-funding you have received so far).
From the outset, our research and development have been supported by EU funding. Prof. Magdalena Król, our cofounder and Chief Scientific Officer, has received three ERC grants to further investigate the initial discovery, allowing us to deepen our understanding of the biology and immunological aspects of macrophage-cancer cell interactions.
Additionally, we secured funding from the National Centre for Research and Development (Poland) and a Transition Grant from the EIC. To date, we have spent nearly €10 million in non-dilutive financing, out of a total of €25 million used to reach our current stage. At the end of 2024, we received an additional €10 million in non-dilutive financing from the National Centre for Research and Development to support our early-stage clinical phase.
Developing groundbreaking technology that could transform oncology is expensive, and EU funding has been instrumental in this early phase. However, greater venture capital engagement is needed in Europe, as its scarcity creates a significant “valley of death” for innovative biotech solutions.
Have you already tested your product with clients? What was it like?
We are preparing for our first-in-human Phase 1 trials in 2025. We are currently finalising the GMP manufacturing process and addressing regulatory requirements. Once completed, this will enable us to begin dosing our first patients.
What is Cellis’ greatest achievement to date?
I believe transitioning from a pure scientific discovery at the cellular level, through preclinical development, to a stage where our technology is ready for patient administration is a significant achievement. Upscaling and transferring the manufacturing process to ensure a GMP-ready product for patient dosing is an amazing accomplishment.
What makes it even more remarkable is that this technology is globally unprecedented. For me, it feels like delivering the first doses of penicillin to patients with infections — let’s hope it proves as effective as it has in our preclinical experiments.
How do you see Cellis making a difference in the future?
Our vision is clear: we see MDC technology as a game-changer in oncology and immunotherapy. The success of our clinical trials has the potential to bring hope to millions of patients worldwide.
Why is participating in the Innovation Radar Prize important to you?
For years, we developed our technology in stealth mode — studying the biology, experimenting with various models, and analysing potential approaches. The Innovation Radar Prize was the first competition where we showcased the results of our years of work. This coincides with the upcoming publication of our findings in Nature Communications in early 2025.
What did it mean to you to be a winner of the Innovation Radar Prize?
We are deeply honoured to have been awarded the Grand Prize by the Innovation Radar jury. This recognition validates the importance and impact of our work. We hope this prize will accelerate our development and attract venture capital interest, which is critical for the smooth transition of our technology to the market.
How would you define success and what keeps you going in the pursuit of it?
As a serial entrepreneur, I define success as the ability to transform an idea into something meaningful that helps people, improves lives, and fulfils a market need. Achieving that transformation is what I consider true success.
Article published by EurA AG.
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