Immunocore CEO joins fellowship of Academy of Medical Sciences

Biotechnology company Immunocore's chief scientific officer and co-founder Dr. Bent Jakobsen has been recognised for his contribution to medical science with an election to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences. 

Through decades of research, Dr. Jakobsen has been instrumental in the development of Immunocore’s unique immuno-oncology platform technology, ImmTACs, and has contributed significantly to scientific advances in T cell receptor technology more broadly. This technology has the potential to create breakthrough treatments for diseases with high unmet medical need, including cancer, viral infections and autoimmune diseases.  

Dr. Eliot Forster, Chief Executive Officer of Immunocore, commented: “Bent Jakobsen’s contribution to the field of immuno-oncology through his work with both Immunocore and its sister company Adaptimmune is hard to over-estimate. He has been instrumental in establishing proof of concept for the T cell receptor technology, which is at the heart of both companies’ technology platforms. He has played a central role in helping form Immunocore and in bringing our most advanced drug candidate, IMCgp100, to the clinic. We are delighted that he has been recognised by the Academy of Medical Sciences for this work.” 

Dr. Jakobsen said: “I am honoured to have been elected to a Fellowship of such a prestigious institution, and I hope that this recognition will help to further awareness of the advances we are making at Immunocore, and in T cell receptor technology across the board and the promise it holds for cancer patients.” 

The Academy of Medical Sciences promotes innovation in medical science and campaigns to ensure patients can benefit from these developments. It elects Fellows for excellence in medical research, innovative application of scientific knowledge or for their conspicuous service to healthcare.  

Dr. Jakobsen is one of 48 new Fellows who have been elected in 2015, who will be admitted formally to the Academy at a ceremony on 1 July 2015. 

More detail on this year’s Fellows, including a full list, can be viewed here: www.acmedsci.ac.uk.