Dr. Luigi Naldini stands as a globally recognized pioneer in the field of gene therapy and a transformative leader in biomedical research. He currently serves as Director of the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy in Milan, Italy, a position he has held since 2008, and as Full Professor of Cell and Tissue Biology and Gene and Cell Therapy at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. Dr. Naldini received his medical degree from the University of Turin in 1983 and subsequently earned his PhD from the University La Sapienza of Rome. His distinguished career began with foundational work at the University of Turin and the Candiolo Cancer Institute before his pivotal move to Milan in 2002, where he co-founded and eventually led one of the world's premier gene therapy research institutions.
Dr. Naldini's groundbreaking research revolutionized gene therapy through his pioneering development and application of lentiviral vectors, demonstrating that the HIV virus could be repurposed as a safe and effective vehicle for delivering genetic material into non-dividing cells. This seminal work, established during his time in the United States and further refined upon his return to Italy, has become one of the most widely used tools in biomedical research and has enabled clinical applications for previously untreatable genetic disorders. His leadership at SR-Tiget has spearheaded successful clinical trials for conditions including beta thalassemia, metachromatic leukodystrophy, and Wiskott-Aldrick Syndrome, providing transformative treatments for patients worldwide. In recognition of his seminal contributions, Dr. Naldini received the prestigious 2019 Louis-Jeantet Prize, honoring his work that has fundamentally reshaped the therapeutic landscape for genetic diseases.
Under Dr. Naldini's visionary leadership, SR-Tiget has grown into a world-class research institution comprising approximately 250 scientists organized into 15 principal investigator units with specialized clinical and translational support facilities. He has fostered strategic alliances with industrial partners and launched startup biotech companies to accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into clinical applications. Dr. Naldini continues to investigate next-generation gene therapy and gene editing approaches, focusing on overcoming remaining challenges to safe and effective gene transfer for a broader range of genetic conditions. His ongoing research promises to further expand the therapeutic potential of gene therapy, cementing his legacy as a driving force behind one of modern medicine's most promising treatment modalities and inspiring the next generation of researchers in the field.
