Flinders honours Professor Huji Xu for pioneering world-first allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy for autoimmune diseases
核心洞察
Professor Huji Xu (搜索) received the Flinders University Convocation Medal for pioneering the world-first allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy (搜索) for autoimmune diseases (搜索), which may enable damaged immune systems to be "reset."
His landmark study was the first to use engineered immune cells to target cells mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues, potentially leading to remission in autoimmune disease.
Professor Xu is now focused on developing cost-effective cell therapies that are safer, faster to deliver, and more affordable, citing industrial mass-production as a key advantage of allogeneic CAR-T.
Professor Huji Xu (搜索), whose work led to a radical new treatment for autoimmune diseases (搜索), has been recognised by Flinders University for developing a revolutionary cell therapy that may enable damaged immune systems to be "reset." Professor Xu received the Convocation Medallist award among 10 exceptional alumni at a ceremony held in Adelaide Town Hall on 28 August, in recognition of his outstanding leadership in pioneering world-first allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy (搜索) for autoimmune diseases.
His landmark study pioneered the first use of engineered immune cells to target the cells that are mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues in autoimmune diseases (搜索), potentially leading to remission. The award also acknowledges his research and advancement of knowledge regarding the genetic drivers of autoimmune disease.
A career rooted in clinical immunology
Professor Xu, now Professor of Medicine at Tsinghua University, acknowledges that a crucial part of his medical journey began when he moved to Adelaide in 1990 to complete a PhD in clinical immunology at Flinders, which he earned in 1995. His trajectory from doctoral research in clinical immunology to pioneering cell therapy underscores the translational impact of his work.
Advancing cost-effective cell therapies
Professor Xu is now working on cost-effective cell therapies that are safer, faster to deliver and more affordable. He highlighted the practical advantages of the allogeneic approach in addressing both quality and cost.
"The biggest advantage of allogeneic CAR-T is that the product can be industrially mass-produced, which ensures consistent quality while reducing costs," said Professor Xu. "I really want to change our clinical practice to benefit patients – and this serves as the driving force that keeps us moving forward in scientific research."
Recognising exceptional contributions
The Flinders Alumni awards recognise significant contributions made by outstanding graduates to the community, the University or within their chosen field, both locally and internationally. Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling congratulated this year's recipients for their exceptional contributions to improving lives and strengthening communities.
"From pioneering medical breakthroughs to lifelong dedication in community healthcare, public service, science, Indigenous education and First Nations art, our 2026 award recipients are making a profound and lasting difference," Professor Stirling said.
"As Flinders University celebrates 60 years of changing lives through education, it is especially meaningful to recognise graduates whose achievements reflect that mission. Through their knowledge, leadership and commitment to others, they are creating opportunities, advancing communities and delivering real impact where it matters most."
Professor Xu's recognition as Convocation Medallist specifically cites his "outstanding leadership in pioneering world-first allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy (搜索) for autoimmune diseases (搜索)," positioning his work at the forefront of a field with the potential to transform how autoimmune conditions are treated.