Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe, 16. Juni 2025 – Development of new drugs is frequently hampered not by a lack of ideas, but by the lack of funding for GMP-compliant production for the first clinical trials. This is precisely the area of expertise of ForTra gGmbH für Forschungstransfer der Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (ForTra). With immediate effect, it will be providing six projects for GMP production of clinical trial material with funding totaling 4.7 million euros. The aim is to accelerate the process of bringing promising therapeutic approaches into clinical practice.
“This targeted funding will enable us to support projects that have the potential to develop new therapies for patients with high medical needs,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Martin Zörnig, Managing Director of ForTra. “GMP production is a major hurdle for many academic projects – this is exactly where we step in with our support.”
The funding enables medicinal products to be manufactured in accordance with the strict requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), a requirement for use in clinical trials. This represents an important step towards accelerating the translation of research findings into clinical applications.
A total of 37 project proposals were submitted in this tender round, which were assessed by external experts in a multi-stage process. Below is a brief introduction to five of the six funded projects.
GMP production of NMDAR-CAAR T cells to treat NMDAR encephalitis: Dr. Momsen Reincke, Prof. Dr. Harald Prüß, Prof. Dr. Annette Künkele-Langer, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is a rare but serious brain inflammation in which the body’s own immune system attacks nerve cells. A research team at Charité has devised a novel therapy: a patient’s own cells are endowed with a “Chimeric Autoantibody Receptor” (CAAR) that hunts down and eliminates the disease-causing cells while leaving the rest of the immune defenses intact. To test this precise approach in a first-ever clinical study, the last missing step is the production of a GMP-compliant lentivirus that can safely deliver the CAAR genetic code into the therapeutic cells. The requested funding will cover this crucial component and pave the way for a Phase I trial—offering the prospect of more effective treatment, fewer side effects, and a lower relapse rate for patients.
Innovative antibodies against antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria: Prof. Dr. Dr. Jan Rybniker, Dr. Alexander Simonis, University Hospital of Cologne
Researchers at the University Hospital of Cologne have identified promising, fully human antibodies that specifically neutralize a central virulence factor of the multidrug-resistant bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium causes severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised and ventilated patients. The antibodies are directed against the type III secretion system of the pathogen and show significantly higher efficacy in preclinical models than previously available approaches. The aim of the project is to further develop these antibodies into a novel, targeted therapy for the treatment and prophylaxis of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Precision-RNA: a scalable platform of patient-customized, programmable oligonucleotide treatments for brain diseases: Prof. Dr. Matthis Synofzik, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research & University Hospital Tübingen
PRECISION-RNA is pioneering an innovative platform to bring personalized RNA-based treatments into clinics—starting with severe, currently untreatable brain diseases. Using programmable molecules called antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), the platform can be tailored to each patient’s unique genetic mutation, yet remains scalable by applying a shared biological mechanism across many rare diseases. This innovative approach has already led to two individualized treatments for the rare neurological disease Ataxia-Telangiectasia, now in clinical use. By combining precision and scalability, PRECISION-RNA aims to revolutionize drug development for rare conditions—and pave the way for future individualized therapies in common diseases as well.
GMP-production of GO102, a novel anti-fibrotic molecule: Prof. Dr. Michael Zeisberg, University Medical Center Göttingen
Chronic kidney disease is a global health problem and effective treatments are a major unmet medical need. In the RevOFib (“Reversal of Fibrosis”) research project, a team is working on new therapies that specifically target scarring (fibrosis) in the kidney - a central cause of the disease. With the support of the ForTra, the molecule “GO102” can now be tested in a clinical trial on humans for the first time.
Synthesis of an antimicrobial peptide analogue under GMP conditions for a clinical trial in ulcerative colitis: Prof. Dr. Dr. Sebastian Zundler, University Hospital Erlangen
The interplay of adverse environmental factors and predisposing genetic alterations can lead to the development of inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis. Gut bacteria play an important role in this context and endogenous anti-microbial peptides contribute to regulating their diversity. In this project, we will produce a modified anti-microbial peptide for subsequent clinical testing.
ForTra gGmbH für Forschungstransfer der Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (ForTra gGmbH)
ForTra is a nonprofit subsidiary of the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung. Its objective is to promote medical science and research and to promote public health care by translating the results of medical research into clinical practice to benefit patients and health care in the public sector. For more information, see: https://www.ekfs.de/en/scientific-funding/translational-research-ForTra/funding-program
Scientific contact
ForTra
Prof. Dr. Martin Zörnig
Managing Director of ForTra gGmbH
Tel.: +49 6172 8975-12
Email: m.zoernig@fortra-forschungstransfer.de
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS) – Advancing research. Helping people.
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the funding and advancement of medical research and the support of humanitarian projects. To date the foundation has funded around 2,800 projects. With an annual funding volume currently amounting around 60 million euros it is the largest foundation in Germany that actively funds and supports medicine. You can find more information at: www.ekfs.de/en
Press Contact
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung
Bianka Jerke
Public Relations
Tel.: + 49 6172 8975-24
Email: b.jerke@ekfs.de