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Michael Klichinsky
Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, Carisma Therapeutics
Michael Klichinsky is a prominent figure in the field of biomedical research, serving as the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Carisma Therapeutics since April 2022. He has been instrumental in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies, particularly focusing on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technologies and macrophage biology.
Professional Background
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Carisma Therapeutics: Klichinsky co-founded the company in April 2016 and initially held the position of Senior Vice President of Research before becoming Chief Scientific Officer. Carisma is known for its pioneering work in engineered macrophage therapies aimed at treating various cancers.
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Education: He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (2007-2013) and later completed his PhD in Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania (2013-2018). His doctoral research focused on novel cancer immunotherapies and was conducted under the mentorship of notable experts in the field, including Dr. Saar Gill and Dr. Carl June.1
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Research Experience: Before his tenure at Carisma, Klichinsky gained valuable experience through various roles:
- Student Researcher at The Wistar Institute, where he studied Epstein Barr virus epigenetics.
- Research Intern at Pfizer, focusing on antibiotic development.1
Contributions and Achievements
Klichinsky has been actively involved in significant advancements within Carisma Therapeutics, including:
- Leading efforts that resulted in FDA Fast Track Designation for their therapeutic candidate CT-0525 in June 2024.2
- Presenting groundbreaking research at major conferences, such as the CAR TCR Summit and ASGCT, showcasing developments in CAR-M technology and engineered macrophages.34
His work continues to push the boundaries of cancer treatment, aiming to leverage engineered macrophages for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
