Launch of global research centre for immune engineering advancing child and adolescent health
On 18 June, a new independent research institute, the Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE) is launching in Basel, Switzerland. The BIIE is a newly founded non-profit research organisation focused on developing computational tools and immune-based translational solutions for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in children and adolescents.
The BIIE is made possible by the generous endowment of over 1 billion USD (to be provided over 15 years) from Fondation Botnar, a Swiss philanthropic foundation working to improve the health and well-being of young people around the world. Outstanding investigators will be recruited from across the globe to its facility in Basel, Switzerland, to form a new hub of innovation in immune engineering.
The Institute will establish strategic partnerships with internationally renowned public and private research institutions and work with philanthropic organisations that support its mission in the Global South. Inaugural strategic academic partners are planned with ETH Zurich and the University of Oxford, UK, with additional global partners to be announced in the future. These strategic partnerships will expand BIIE’s capacity and global reach as it develops computational tools, diagnostics, therapeutics, and preventive medicines as well as train the next generation of immune engineers.
“The BIIE will bring together a critical mass of investigators, all of whom are experts in various aspects of immune engineering; combining their strengths and perspective should result in a sum greater than its parts. Because we are focused on translating discoveries in the lab into real-world solutions, our researchers will enjoy tremendous latitude as well as the institutional support necessary to advance promising discoveries into clinical development.”Dr Stephen Wilson, CEO at BIIE
The BIIE will move into a new purpose-built research facility in 2027. In the interim, the BIIE is planned to be hosted by the Department of Biosystems Science and Systems Engineering (D-BSSE) of the ETH Zurich. The BIIE management team will include D-BSSE professors Sai Reddy (designated BIIE Scientific Director) and Georg Holländer (designated BIIE Director of Global Engagement). Dr Stephen Wilson is the Chief Executive Officer of the BIIE.
“The D-BSSE is thrilled to announce this collaboration with an exciting new institute for immune engineering in Basel. This aligns perfectly with ongoing D-BSSE initiatives for engineering translational medicine.”Prof Sven Panke, Department Head of D-BSSE
Find external page BIIE press release and more information on the external page Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering.
The Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE) is committed to advancing global child and adolescent health. By harnessing the potential of immune engineering, it aims to enhance the lives of children and young people globally, spearheading innovations that promise a healthier tomorrow. The BIIE is supported and supervised by the Foundation Immune Engineering for Global Child and Adolescent Health (FIE) – a not-for-profit foundation under Swiss material law, overseen by the Swiss Federal Foundation Supervisory Authority. The Board of Trustees oversees the Executive Board of the BIIE who operates the independent research institute.