FEBRUARY 2, 2026, NEW YORK – It is with great pleasure that we announce that the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research has established the Ludwig Laboratory for Cell Therapy at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center. The laboratory is directed by former Ludwig Lausanne Director George Coukos, a physician-scientist and global authority on tumor immunology and cellular immunotherapy.
Coukos returns to the U.S. following an extraordinarily productive tenure over the past decade as the founding director of the current Lausanne Branch and of the Department of Oncology UNIL and CHUV. In these roles, he made several landmark discoveries in tumor immunology and established an ambitious bench-to-bedside research program for the development, production and clinical evaluation of cellular immunotherapies and cancer vaccines. During this time, he also recruited an exceptional, internationally recognized team of investigators, building the Lausanne Branch into a hub of scientific and translational excellence. Several technologies developed under his leadership—and with his direct participation—are now being applied in pioneering studies to optimize individualized cell therapies for the treatment of melanoma, sarcoma, lung cancer and other major malignancies.
Cellular immunotherapies involve the isolation from patients of tumor-targeting immune cells, their expansion in the lab and subsequent reintroduction to the same patients for cancer therapy. An intervening step often involves the selection and—mainly in currently experimental strategies—reengineering of the cells to better target the molecular features unique to a patient’s cancer, enhance their cancer-killing capabilities and equip them to better overcome the defenses tumors evolve against immune attack. Coukos has contributed invaluably to not only identifying mechanisms of immune evasion employed by tumors and markers of anti-tumor immunity but also to the translational strategies employed to optimize cellular immunotherapies.
“Few scientists are as qualified as George to lead a program on cellular immunotherapy, and fewer still can lay claim to the experience and grit required to get such a program off the ground and usher its discoveries into the clinic,” said Ludwig Institute CEO and Scientific Director Chi Van Dang. “We have every confidence that the new Ludwig Laboratory for Cell Therapy at Weill Cornell Medicine will thrive in his capable hands, leading to the establishment of an impactful translational and clinical cell therapy program. Further, George and his team will enjoy ready access to the world-class expertise nearby. He has abundant opportunities to leverage the remarkably innovative research on cancer immunotherapy at the Ludwig Collaborative Laboratory at Weill Cornell. In addition, George will have access to expertise in cancer and immune metabolism at the Princeton Branch of the Ludwig Institute. The Branch is affiliated with the Rutgers Cancer Institute, which has an established cell therapy research program.”
Ludwig Distinguished Scholar Douglas Hanahan will serve as interim director of Ludwig Lausanne until a permanent director is appointed to lead the Branch.
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About Ludwig Cancer Research
Ludwig Cancer Research is an international collaborative network of acclaimed scientists that has pioneered cancer research and landmark discovery for more than 50 years. Ludwig combines basic science with the translation and clinical evaluation of its discoveries to accelerate the development of new cancer diagnostics, therapies and prevention strategies. Since 1971, Ludwig has invested nearly $3 billion in life-changing science through the not-for-profit Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and the six U.S.-based Ludwig Centers. To learn more, visit www.ludwigcancerresearch.org .
For additional information please contact communications@ludwigcancerresearch.org .
About Weill Cornell Medicine
Weill Cornell Medicine is committed to excellence in patient care, scientific discovery and the education of future physicians in New York City and around the world. The doctors and scientists of Weill Cornell Medicine — faculty from Weill Cornell Medical College, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and Weill Cornell Physician Organization — are engaged in world-class clinical care and cutting-edge research that connect patients to the latest treatment innovations and prevention strategies. For more information, visit weill.cornell.edu