The scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI in Leipzig act at the interfaces of medicine, life sciences, and engineering sciences. One example of this is a process developed here for the more efficient production of safe vaccines. The innovative technology for inactivating viruses and other pathogens is being transferred from laboratory scale to industrial applications. Additionally, the institute is participating in the development of new immuno-oncological therapies in which modified immune cells and antibodies combat cancerous tumors. Additional fields of research include neurodegenerative diseases and immune disorders as well as such illnesses as strokes, arthritis, and infections. 

In addition to cell and gene therapies and active ingredients, processes for diagnostics, analytics and automated production are also developed, optimized and validated. The Fraunhofer IZI is a certified GLP testing facility. It also carries out quality testing and GMP-compliant production of clinical trial samples. The institute has further sites in Germany, Canada and South Korea.