Akseli Hemminki (Helsinki) is a Finnish specialist in Oncology and Radiotherapy, Professor of Oncology and founder of two biotechnology companies.
Career Akseli Hemminki worked in University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2000–2002, first as a post doctoral researcher and later as a Research Assistant Professor. Soon after his return to Finland in 2002 he founded his own research group in University of Helsinki, Cancer Gene Therapy GroupCancer Gene Therapy Group which he is still leading. In 2007-2013 Hemminki worked as a K. Albin Johansson Research Professor."Finnish Cancer Institute funded Professorship awarded to Akseli Hemminki (in Finnish)" , Biomedicum Helsinki webpages. Retrieved October 3, 2016. In 2015 he was appointed as a Jane and Aatos Erkko Professor of Oncology for five years period."University of Helsinki Professors (in Finnish)", University of Helsinki web-pages. Retrieved October 3, 2016. Akseli Hemminki has been selected as an "Outstanding Young Person of the World" by Junior Chamber International in 2006."JCI Toyp Honeree List", Junior Chamber International web-pages. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
Besides his scientific career Hemminki has worked as a physician in 1998–1999, as a resident in 2003-2007 and as a specialist in oncology since 2007 in HUS (Hospital district of Helsinki and Uusimaa)HUS and Docrates Cancer Center.Docrates Cancer Center Professionals
Research Akseli Hemminki's research focuses on cancer immunotherapy and especially on oncolytic adenoviruses."Now the man who revolutionized cancer treatment is looking to help people", Kemianteollisuus webpages, "Views on Chemistry". Retrieved December 22, 2016. The goal of his research group is to create a new oncolytic adenovirus based treatment for cancers with no available curative treatment at the moment."Developing New Treatments for Cancers" Projects Magazine. Retrieved December 22, 2016."Using viruses to help battle cancer" HighTech Finland webpages. Retrieved December 22, 2016. The key finding of the group is that oncolytic viruses – besides lyse tumor cells by oncolysis – trigger immune response towards the tumor. Recently, Hemminki's group has focused on attempting to enable T-cell therapy of solid tumors with oncolytic adenoviruses. To facilitate setting up clinical trials Akseli Hemminki has founded two biotechnology companies: 2008 Oncos Therapeutics (merged with Targovax ASA in 2015Targovax ASA"Targovax and Oncos Therapeutics join forces to create a Nordic leader within immuno-oncology - PRESS RELEASE" Retrieved December 22, 2016.) and 2013 TILT Biotherapeutics.TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd"TILT Biotherapeutics Secures 10 M ($10.6M) for Viral Cancer T-Cell Immunotherapy" Wave3 News. Retrieved December 22, 2016."Start-up Story. Tilt Biotherapeutics - Express to solid tumours" European Biotechnology Life Science and Industry Magazine. Retrieved December 22, 2016. Oncos completed the first oncolytic virus trial ever performed in Northern Europe in fall 2013."ONCOS-102 (previously CGTG-102) for Therapy of Advanced Cancers" Clinicaltrials.gov. Retrieved October 3, 2016. Over 300 patients have been treated with cancer drugs developed by Hemminki."ASGCT News, Summer 2011. Cancer Gene & Cell Therapy, Symposium 444" . Retrieved December 22, 2016.
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