– I was in high school when I heard about Dolly the sheep, which fascinated me! How can a single, mature cell give rise to an entire organism? This breakthrough discovery led me to choose to study biology and then do my PhD in epigenetics. I chose biology over architecture but in a way, I see myself now as an architect of cell fate.
Filipe Pereira has turned 40 this year but he does not have time for a midlife crisis. On the contrary. He has additional reasons to celebrate after reaching a goal he has had since starting his academic career - starting a new, successful company! But it is not chance that has given Filipe Pereira the opportunity, but many years of hard work. First and foremost, there must be a strong scientific idea that differs from others. Then a team that can take the technology to the next level. Finally, a well thought strategy for timely patent protection and for engaging and building relationships with investors.
– To be successful, you must have extraordinary tenacity… and also luck!
Despite significant advances in immunotherapy in recent years, there is an urgent need for innovative, individualized and less expensive immunotherapies for cancer patients. This is where Filipe Pereira has found his niche:
– We thought about bringing cellular reprogramming concepts to immunology. The result was the development of a technology we call TrojanDC, because just like the Trojan horse, it hides its warriors inside and then knocks out the enemy from within.
The key is to use a viral vector with three different genes, and deliver them into tumor cells. The genes reprogram tumor cells into dendritic cells, whose task is to break down the tumor cells into smaller pieces - so-called antigens – and present them to the immune system. Reprogramming forces presentation of tumor-specific antigens to the immune system's killer cells, activating them to eliminate the tumor.
It is almost 20 years since Filipe Pereira left his native Portugal. He misses family and grilled fish, but science has taken him around the world where he has learned to be flexible and to appreciate and learn new cultures. It is one of the joys, he says, of being a scientist.
– I don't long for what I don't have, but appreciate where I am right now. Sweden is one of the few countries where researchers own their inventions and there are great opportunities for science-based start up companies. The 60 million SEK that has now been invested at Asgard Therapeutics is a major vote of confidence for the potential of our Trojan horse armed with reprogramming skills.