Lana E. Kandalaft

Prof. Lana Kandalaft, currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Oncology at CHUV-UNIL / Ludwig Center for Cancer Research and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, is a prominent figure in the field of translational cancer immunotherapies.

She is the head of the Center of Experimental Therapeutics service at CHUV, overseeing clinical services, GMP manufacturing facilities, and translational laboratory platforms. Her primary goal is to advance new cellular immunotherapies from the research lab to clinical applications.

With a background in cell biology and drug delivery from The Welsh School of Pharmacy and a Masters in Translational Research from the University of Pennsylvania, Prof. Kandalaft has developed a strong expertise in clinical development, regulatory policies, and translational research.

Her research interests lie in cancer vaccines, cell-based immunotherapy, genetically-modified cell therapy, and personalized vaccines. She particularly focuses on immunotherapy for ovarian cancer and spearheads a basic laboratory dedicated to devising innovative strategies for personalized cancer treatments.

Before her current role, Prof. Kandalaft served as the Director of Clinical Development and Operations at the Ovarian Cancer Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Here, she played a pivotal role in shaping and executing cell-based and gene therapy clinical protocols. She led the submission of several IND applications to the FDA for investigator-initiated clinical trials, managed research teams, and oversaw the production of cellular therapies.

Prof. Lana Kandalaft is a well-rounded professional with extensive experience in academia and a track record of driving novel research ideas to clinical trials, making significant contributions to the field of translational oncology and immunotherapy.