Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

27/05/2026

CAR T-cell therapy is revolutionising how we approach cancer and other diseases, but it is just one of many scientific advances transforming what is possible in medicine. RNA technology is another, with the potential to deliver safer, more effective and personalised treatments – reshaping how we develop cancer therapies, vaccines and other therapeutics across human, plant and animal health.

Dr Rebecca McKenzie is one of the Malaghan’s RNA technology experts and has played a key role in the New Zealand RNA Development Platform since its inception. Today she is helping the national platform build end-to-end research and manufacturing capability, while supporting exciting new biomedical research at the Malaghan, including a new approach that combines CAR T-cell and RNA technologies.

https://www.malaghan.org.nz/news-and-resources/news/building-the-rna-development-platform-one-rna-at-a-time

27/05/2026

A huge congratulations to Dr Hannah Boswell who graduated from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington today! Hannah completed her PhD in the Malaghan's Connor Lab, exploring MAIT cells and how they interact with other innate immune cells in the lung to promote beneficial immune responses. She'll continue to be a valuable part of the team - now as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow!

A massive achievement - we're super proud of you!

26/05/2026

Congratulations to Malaghan PhD Student Caitlin Dorset for receiving an Aegean Conference Trainee Award for her 'excellent research contribution' at the International Conference on Innate Immunity in Greece.

Well done Cat!

21/05/2026

Thanks to Reuben Davidson MP, Labour's spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology, for taking the time to visit the Malaghan Institute. It was a great opportunity to share our work advancing understanding of the immune system to develop new ways to prevent, treat and cure disease – and to have an open conversation about the opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand's science sector right now.

20/05/2026

Today is World Clinical Trials Day, recognising the essential role clinical trials play in turning scientific breakthroughs into treatments that reach patients.

Its origin dates back to 20 May 1747, when Scottish naval surgeon James Lind began what is widely considered the first randomised controlled trial, testing scurvy treatments on sailors and laying the groundwork for evidence-based medicine.

At the Malaghan Institute, clinical trials play a pivotal role in translating research from benchtop to bedside, with our ENABLE-2 trial laying the groundwork to bring CAR T-cell therapy to New Zealand patients.

"Clinical trials like this prepare the health system. They build expertise among doctors and nurses, establish safety protocols, and help regulators and funders understand what will be needed to deliver publicly funded treatment. Internationally, the centres that first delivered commercial CAR T-cell therapies were those that ran the early trials. This is how countries translate breakthrough science to standard care." – Professor Robert Weinkove, Clinical Director.

Image: Robert Alan - Parke, Davis & Company, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

19/05/2026

Our warmest congratulations to Professor Sir Graham Le Gros, who was invested as a Knight of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to medical science by Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House yesterday. https://gg.govt.nz/image-galleries/11023/media

12/05/2026

What a month!

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our Go the Distance challenge!

And now it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for…the prizes!

Congratulations to all our prize winners, and to every single person who moved, shared, donated, and helped bring this challenge to life. Together, we’ve raised over $200,000 to help bring CAR T-cell therapy to New Zealanders — an incredible effort from our community .

And a huge thank you to our amazing sponsors: Chubb Life New Zealand and Les Mills New Zealand for making these prizes possible!

11/05/2026

Early career research can be exciting and overwhelming, all at the same time. Between developing technical expertise, navigating career uncertainty and finding confidence in unfamiliar environments, the beginning of a scientific career can present unique challenges.

Founded in 2019, the Malaghan's Young Researchers Club was created to make that journey less daunting. From the beginning, the goal was simple: to create an environment where early-career scientists, including Master's and PhD students, could engage openly.

"The Young Researchers Club reflects something we care deeply about at the Malaghan - nurturing the next generation of scientists who will make the discoveries behind tomorrow's treatments. It creates a sense of community, builds confidence, and helps early-career scientists develop the skills and networks they need to thrive," says Director Professor Kjesten Wiig.

Read more: www.malaghan.org.nz/news-and-resources/news/insight-the-young-researchers-club-supporting-the-next-generation-of-scientists

Early career research can be exciting and overwhelming, all at the same time. Between developing technical expertise, navigating career uncertainty and finding

07/05/2026

In an article for the NZ Herald, reporter Ben Tomsett digs into when New Zealand blood cancer patients could get access to publicly funded CAR T-cell therapy, on the back of Sir Sam Neill revealing he is cancer-free after undergoing CAR-T for T-cell lymphoma through an international clinical trial in Australia.

Neill said he supported organisations working to advance treatment access in New Zealand, including the Malaghan Institute.

"...the broader point is this: even for the more common B-cell lymphomas, for which CAR-T is approved and government-funded in Australia, there is currently no government-funded CAR-T access in New Zealand at all. That needs to change, and urgently," he told the Herald.

"Medicine is moving with incredible rapidity and access shouldn’t be determined by which side of the Tasman you live on."

The Malaghan is working to change that, running a clinical trial for B-cell non Hodgkin lymphoma that is about more than one treatment, but about breaking ground – building the systems, pathways and clinical expertise required to deliver CAR T-cell therapies in New Zealand.

The institute’s current phase 2 trial is expected to complete enrolment around the end of the year. If results are positive, there is hope the treatment could move towards approval.

"In an optimistic scenario, we may have something suitable to be publicly funded next year," says Clinical Director Professor Robert Weinkove.

Full article (behind the paywall):
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/car-t-cell-therapy-in-new-zealand-when-will-blood-cancer-patients-get-access/premium/GQE2BLX53JBNPIBTSWX2JAG7DU/

30/04/2026

What a journey this has been. Over the month of April, the Go the Distance community has collectively covered over 30,000 kilometres and raised almost $200,000!

A huge thank you to every single one of you who has taken part, donated, shared, or cheered someone on. It’s all added up to something really special.

As we head into the final hours of the challenge, just a quick reminder that everyone who donates, and the participant they support today will each go in the draw to win a $200 Prezzy Card, thanks to Chubb Life New Zealand.