Prime Vector Technologies is developing a new vaccine platform - 20/10/2026

The ORF platform – one virus, many possibilities

Many vaccines effectively deliver an antigen to the desired target site. But what if, at the same time, the immune system could be specifically orchestrated to build broad and comprehensive protection? This idea led to the development of a novel vector platform based on the Orf virus. The work was carried out by the Tübingen-based start-up Prime Vector Technologies.

How can the human body be stimulated to build more bone, thus helping those affected by osteoporosis? Researchers in Ulm have investigated the role played by the protein molecule Axl in this process. Their efforts were successful: in a study, they demonstrated that Axl inhibits bone formation – and that cells produce significantly more bone tissue when the molecule is blocked using medication. There are no discernible harmful side effects.

About 250,000 people in Germany live with epilepsy that does not respond adequately to medication. How can their treatment be further improved with a brain pacemaker? As part of the CLOUDIA research project, the Medical Center – University of Freiburg is now collaborating with a medical technology company to develop an AI-supported assistance system for analyzing long-term brain activity data.

A European research consortium led by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) aims to fundamentally improve the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer using AI agents, big data, and patient-centered clinical decision support. The central goal is to detect aggressive tumors early and accurately, reduce unnecessary interventions, and tailor treatment decisions more closely to the individual patient.

Iron is essential for healthy cells. Cancer cells also require this trace element. Researchers in Freiburg have now found evidence that high levels of iron directly in the tumor microenvironment promote the spread of certain cells in a particularly aggressive type of brain tumor known as glioblastoma. In the long term, iron metabolism could therefore serve as a target for more precisely influencing particularly invasive tumor cells.