Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI)

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the development of breakthrough immune therapies to turn all cancers into curable diseases. Established in 2016 with a significant grant from the Parker Foundation, its core mission is to foster collaboration among leading researchers and institutions to advance the field of cancer immunotherapy. PICI is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

PICI operates by uniting top scientists, clinicians, and industry partners within a network of prominent cancer centers, including institutions like Stanford Medicine, UCLA, UCSF, and the University of Pennsylvania. The institute funds high-risk, high-reward research projects across key areas such as CAR-T and cell therapy, tumor antigen discovery, and strategies to overcome resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. It provides essential resources including advanced bioinformatics, intellectual property management, sequencing, immune monitoring, and support for clinical trials, aiming to translate scientific discoveries into clinical applications and commercialization.

In recent leadership news, Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, PhD, was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of PICI, effective March 31, 2025. The institute continues to drive significant initiatives, including a strategic integration with the Cancer Vaccine Coalition in April 2026 to accelerate the development of cancer vaccines. PICI also engages in collaborations with organizations such as Conquer Cancer and ASCO to support promising oncology research, reinforcing its commitment to advancing cancer treatment.