Transforming Cancer Treatment Through CAR T-cell Therapy

University of Colorado Cancer Center is proud to partner with the Gates Institute, a world-class translational research institute launched in 2023 through a visionary collaboration between the Gates Frontiers Fund and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Together, we are accelerating the development and delivery of cutting-edge cell and gene therapies (CGT) to improve patient outcomes and change the future of medicine.

Located on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, the Gates Institute unites leading investigators, regulatory experts, clinical trial specialists, and the biomanufacturing power of the Gates Biomanufacturing Facility. This dynamic environment fosters the rapid advancement of life-saving therapies from bench to bedside.

At the heart of this collaboration is a shared commitment to innovation in oncology. The CU Cancer Center and Gates Institute have partnered to pioneer first-in-human clinical trials for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies. These early treatments focused on adult and pediatric patients with certain forms of leukemia and lymphoma. Today, this work is expanding to develop novel CAR T-cell therapies targeting solid tumors and other hard-to-treat cancers.

Beyond CAR T-cell therapies, the Gates Institute is driving progress in other promising CGT approaches, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, opening new doors for personalized cancer treatment.

Guided by three core values—patient-driven innovation, resilience in the face of scientific challenges, and collaboration across disciplines—the CU Cancer Center and Gates Institute are shaping the next era of cancer care through discovery, development, and delivery of transformative therapies.

→ New CAR-T Cell Therapy Shows Promise for Hard-to-Treat Cancers

Advancing Cell & Gene Therapy Through Collaboration

The Gates Institute accelerates progress in cell and gene therapies (CGT) and regenerative medicine by connecting researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders across institutions. Named for Denver industrialist and philanthropist Charles Gates, the Institute supports a collaborative environment that helps transition scientific discoveries into clinical care more quickly and cost effectively.

Open to basic researchers, clinical investigators, and partners in legal, regulatory, and support services, the Institute serves as a virtual hub through its website, events, and seminar series. Members retain their original academic or institutional appointments while benefiting from shared knowledge, funding opportunities, and collaboration.

A number of Gates Institute members are also part of the CU Cancer Center. Through initiatives like the Gates Grubstake Fund, which awards $1.5 million annually to CGT researchers, and the John S. Gates Seminar Series, the Institute fosters discovery and innovation in cancer treatment and beyond.

Together with the CU Cancer Center, Gates Institute is advancing the development of CGT therapies with unmatched speed and potential to transform the future of medicine.

→ Trial Launched to Test CAR T-Cell Therapy in Dogs Diagnosed With Solid Tumors