Director's foreword

One of the most encouraging developments has been the success of our young scientists. Through a well-timed call from the Research Council of Norway on “Radical Ideas,” emerging PRIMA investigators secured funding for genuinely bold and unconventional projects within precision immunotherapy. These were not incremental extensions of established programs, but ideas with edge and risk. That such proposals were recognized and supported sends an important signal. Excellence is not only measured by breakthroughs and publications in prestigious journals, but by how we cultivate creativity, independence, and intellectual courage in the next generation.

At the same time, major national and international grants were awarded to all PRIMA PIs, underlining the scientific strength of the center. This collective success reflects something deeper than individual performance: the complementarity of expertise that defines a Centre of Excellence.

Our core task remains central to all our activities: to discover new targets and immune receptors and translate these insights into therapies through genetic engineering of biologics and immune cells. It has rarely been more inspiring to tackle these challenges. Discovery platforms, increasingly aided by AI, and our ability to filter true specificity from biological background noise are advancing at remarkable speed. In 2025, PRIMA investigators identified a new shared target in solid tumors and derived highly specific T cell receptors that demonstrated promising activity in pre-clinical models.

These advances matter because novel receptors can now be funneled through a translational pipeline designed for clinical implementation. In late 2025, after years of mechanistic and technological work by PRIMA scientists, one T cell–based and one NK cell–based clinical trial received regulatory approval from the European Medicines Agency and will initiate in 2026. The launch of ATMP Norway further strengthens our capacity to deliver on this promise. Building robust national infrastructure for advanced therapies is essential if innovation is to move beyond isolated projects and become sustainable. The establishment of our first spin-off company marks another important step. Stronger ties to industry are not a deviation from academic values; they are necessary bridges if discoveries are to become accessible treatments.

The broader biotechnology landscape is also showing renewed light. Particularly striking is the speed with which in vivo genetic editing strategies are evolving. Concepts that only recently seemed speculative are now technically feasible. If successful, such approaches may eventually challenge today’s laborious and costly autologous paradigms. At the same time, we must confront the reality that advanced therapy medicinal products remain expensive and complex. Reducing cost and increasing scalability will be decisive for broad patient access.

Another important moment this year was the organization of a dedicated user involvement workshop. Bringing patients, clinicians, and researchers into structured dialogue reminds us why precision immunotherapy matters. It sharpens our questions and keeps our ambition anchored in real clinical need.

We are still early in this field. And that is part of the excitement.

Karl-Johan Malmberg Director, Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA