Prof. Dr. Carl H. June

Instituitions/Affiliations (Award Year):

  • Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy
  • Director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine
  • Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania

Scientific Award Field:

  • CAR-T cell therapy

Impact:

Turning immune cells into “living drugs” that target and destroy cancer, leading many patients from terminal illness to lasting recovery.

Prof. Dr. Carl H. June

Prof. Dr. Carl H. June is recognized as one of the most prominent pioneers in immunology. His vision of transforming the body’s own immune system into a precise weapon against cancer began during his fellowship training at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Driven by the quest to harness genetically modified T-cells to defeat incurable diseases, he has revolutionized modern medicine. Today, he leads clinical research at the University of Pennsylvania and continues to push the boundaries of immunotherapy—now extending his groundbreaking work to solid tumors. In recognition of his transformative impact, he was honored as a Laureate of the Broermann Medical Innovation Prize 2025.

Scientific Contribution: The CAR-T Revolution

At the heart of June’s pioneering work is the transformation of the patient’s own immune system into a “living drug”. He led the first clinical demonstration that genetically re-engineered T-cells can be programmed to recognize and destroy cancer cells with surgical precision. This breakthrough represents a paradigm shift in oncology: by developing clinical-grade CAR-T cell therapy at the University of Pennsylvania, June translated lab innovations into life-saving treatments for leukemia and lymphoma. What was once a visionary concept has become a global reality, establishing the clinical protocols adopted worldwide and offering durable remissions where conventional treatments once failed.

Milestones

2025: Broermann Medical Innovation Prize Laureate

Honored for his transformative work in genetically reengineering patients’ own immune cells into “living drugs”.

Recognized for pioneering cell therapies that have transformed previously incurable conditions into treatable ones.

2020: Pushing Boundaries – CRISPR and Solid Tumors

Initiated pioneering clinical trials using CRISPR-edited T-cells to target solid tumors.

Expanded the reach of immunotherapy beyond hematologic malignancies to offer new hope for complex cancer cases.

2017: First-Ever FDA Approval for Gene Therapy

Led the research that resulted in the historic FDA approval of Kymriah, the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.

Established a new class of personalized medicine, setting a global precedent for gene-based cancer treatment.

2012: The 'Emily Whitehead' Breakthrough

Achieved a historic milestone by curing Emily Whitehead, the first pediatric patient with advanced leukemia treated with CAR-T cells.

Provided the definitive clinical proof that genetically modified T-cells could provide durable remissions.

1999: Appointment at the University of Pennsylvania

Joined the University of Pennsylvania, where he established the laboratory focused on translating lab-scale immunology into clinical-grade therapies.

1990s: Invention of the T-Cell 'Expansion' Method

Developed the groundbreaking method to grow and expand T-cells outside the human body using specialized “beads” while serving in the U.S. Navy as a faculty member at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Created the technical foundation necessary for modern “living drugs” to be manufactured at scale.

1983–1986: Specialization in Immunology

Completed postdoctoral training at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Began deep research into the immune system’s specific role in identifying and attacking cancer.

1979: Medical Doctorate

Earned his MD from Baylor College of Medicine.

1975: Academic Foundation

Graduated from the United States Naval Academy, marking the beginning of a distinguished career in science and medicine.

Key Publications

Journal: Science Translational Medicine (2020)

Impact: Documents the pioneering research into targeting solid tumors mentioned in the clinical milestones.

Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2018)

Impact: Serves as the clinical foundation for the first-ever FDA approval of a gene therapy (Kymriah).

Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2017)

Impact: A pivotal study establishing the efficacy of CAR-T treatments for advanced lymphomas.

Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2011)

Impact: The landmark publication detailing the historic 2011 milestone (the successful treatment of Emily Whitehead).

Journal: Nature (2007)

Impact: A fundamental work defining the engineering and structural analysis of modified T-cells.

Journal: Nature Medicine (2004)

Impact: Validates the “Expansion Method” using specialized beads, a technical cornerstone for modern “living drugs”.

Selected Honors & Recognition

Broermann Medical Innovation Prize (2025)

Awarded for his transformative impact on medical innovation and his visionary contributions to the future of oncology.

Warren Alpert Foundation Prize (2024)

Administered in affiliation with Harvard Medical School, awarded for landmark translational research that directly led to the prevention, cure, or treatment of human disease.

Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2024)

Recognized with the preeminent global honor for scientific achievement for his pioneering role in developing CAR-T cell therapy.

Keio Medical Science Prize (2022)

Honored with Japan’s premier international award in medicine, celebrating creative achievements that have fundamentally transformed global health and oncology.

Dan David Prize (2021)

Honored for outstanding international contributions to molecular medicine and the advancement of global human health.

Sanford Lorraine Cross Award (2018)

Recognized for visionary leadership and the clinical breakthroughs that redefined the possibilities of immunotherapy.

Passano Foundation Award (2018)

Awarded for the landmark research that led to the first-ever FDA approval for a gene-based cancer therapy.

Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award (2015)

A prestigious recognition in transfusion medicine, celebrating his foundational advancements in immunology.

Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize (2015)

Bestowed one of Europe’s most prestigious medical honors, globally recognized for outstanding and seminal advancements in the fields of oncology and immunology

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