How a Discovery in the Lab Became a New Approach to Cancer Treatment
Every medical innovation has an origin story. For Immunocine, that story begins not in a clinic, but in a research laboratory.
In this video, Dr. Matt Halpert, Founder and CEO of Immunocine, shares the journey that led to the development of Immunocine’s double-loaded dendritic cell approach. What started as a fundamental question about how the immune system works eventually became a discovery that challenged conventional thinking around dendritic cells and their role in activating an immune response.
Working alongside fellow researchers, Dr. Halpert helped uncover what he describes as a biological “two-factor authentication” system within dendritic cells — a finding that suggested these cells needed multiple signals to fully activate and function as intended. The implications were significant. If dendritic cells were being used incorrectly, could they be reprogrammed to better recognize and target cancer?
“We wanted to get that out there to patients that it could help today that simply don’t have time for tomorrow.” — Dr. Matt Halpert
Years of laboratory research followed, repeatedly validating the importance of double-loading dendritic cells. That work ultimately laid the foundation for Immunocine and its mission: translating promising immunology research into treatment options for patients who cannot afford to wait.
Today, Immunocine has treated approximately 150 patients and continues to follow many of them years after treatment. While outcomes vary, the goal remains unchanged: helping patients gain more time and a better quality of life through a deeper understanding of how the immune system is designed to work.
“This is how dendritic cells are meant to be used. This is how the immune system is meant to be engaged.” — Dr. Matt Halpert
Watch the full video to hear Dr. Halpert discuss the science, the challenges of building Immunocine from the ground up, and the discovery that helped shape the company’s approach to cancer immunotherapy.
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