When it comes to fighting infections, our immune system has many talents. Fighting cancer cells, on the other hand, is not nearly as easy. Still, new immunotherapies are promising. Cancer researcher Karl-Johan Malmberg and his research group use the body's natural killer cells to seek out and destroy cancer cells.
“The possibility to make groundbreaking discoveries in cancer immunotherapy has never been greater and it is a very exciting time for all of us active in the field,” Malmberg says, grateful for the award.
“I am both happy and humbled to receive the 2026 Tobias Prize. The funding will allow us to accelerate our efforts to develop new and more effective cell and gene therapies for haematological malignancies,” he says.
NK cells as "serial killers"
Malmberg is a professor and leader of the Centre of Excellence PRIMA (Precision Immunotherapy Alliance) at the University of Oslo. He has studied Natural Killer (NK) cell biology and cell therapy for nearly 30 years.
Malmberg's work has contributed to the use of NK cells as a new platform for cancer treatment. In contrast to traditional cell therapies, NK cells can be used as standardized treatments for many patients and have shown promising results in leukaemia and other malignant blood diseases that are difficult to treat.
By reprogramming NK cells, they can become "serial killers" that seek out and kill cancer cells.
Unfortunately, a key challenge is that such therapeutic immune cells often lose function or are rejected by the body after they have been introduced. In an effort to improve outcomes, Malmberg's research group has developed strategies to make NK cell therapies more persistent and effective.
These new therapies are now moving towards clinical trials.
An award that facilitates work on new cell therapies
The Tobias Prize is awarded by the Tobias Foundation, which has played a central role in the development of transplantation medicine in Sweden. Through long-term funding, the foundation has contributed to the development of cell-based therapies both nationally and internationally.
“This year’s award recognizes research that combines deep biological understanding with a clear potential to improve treatment for patients with serious blood cancers,” the foundation’s chairman, Jonas Frisén, says.
The award is for 10 million SEK (approximately 930 000 EUR), which will fund further work on new cell and gene therapies.
“We congratulate Professor Karl-Johan Malmberg on receiving the 2026 Tobias Prize. His contribution to research and his efforts for patients with blood cancers are of great importance, and we look forward to the new opportunities this can bring,” says Hanne Flinstad Harbo, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Oslo.