Ludwig Cancer Research is an international network of research institutes and laboratories that conduct basic, translational, and clinical studies on cancer. The name refers collectively to two distinct components: the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR), an international non-profit organization founded in 1971 by American businessman and philanthropist Daniel K. Ludwig, and the six endowed and independent Ludwig Centers established in 2006 at prominent U.S. biomedical research institutions.
Ludwig Cancer Research supports fundamental and translational cancer research in cancer immunology, genomics, cancer metabolism, metastasis, epigenetics and the tumor microenvironment, with the goal of developing novel diagnostics and therapies. Its global structure seeks to foster collaboration to advance the understanding of cancer biology and the application of that knowledge to its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
History
Daniel K. Ludwig, a shipping and real estate magnate, founded LICR in 1971 with an initial endowment of foreign assets from his business holdings.
Between 1971 and 1974, Ludwig transferred his international assets to the Institute, a gift then valued at more than US$560 million (equivalent to about US$3.6 billion in 2025). This created what was for decades the world’s largest philanthropic entity dedicated to cancer research. LICR operated a global conglomerate, including a major oil shipping business, whose profits funded its worldwide Branches until 1992, when it sold its assets and invested the proceeds in financial markets.
Following Ludwig’s death in 1992, his remaining assets established the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research. The Fund initially supported endowed professorships and chairs of clinical investigation with assets of US$69 million. In 2006, the Fund donated US$120 million in cash and approximately US$196 million worth of stocks to establish six Ludwig Centers at leading U.S. academic institutions. In 2014, the Fund distributed an additional US$540 million to the Centers and was subsequently dissolved.
Notable achievements
Ludwig Cancer Research and its scientists have contributed to cancer biology and treatment. Highlights include:
Discovery of the first cancer T-Cell antigens identified in humans, MAGE-A1, and other antigens of this family, including MAGEA4, the antigen targeted by TECELRA (afamitresgene autoleucel), the first engineered cell therapy for a solid tumor (synovial sarcoma) to receive FDA approval in the U.S.
Since its founding, the Ludwig Institute has supported laboratory groups located at major universities and hospitals worldwide. These Branches serve as hubs of research and collaboration. As of 2025, the following Branches are active:
LICR also supports two laboratories in Brussels (affiliated with the Oxford Branch), a Ludwig Collaborative Laboratory at Weill Cornell Medicine, and the Scientific Director’s laboratory at Johns Hopkins University. The establishment of the new Ludwig Laboratory for Cell Therapy at Weill Cornell Medicine was announced in February 2026.
Centers
In 2006, the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research endowed six Ludwig Centers:
Chi Van Dang has been CEO of LICR since July 2024 and has also been the Institute's Scientific Director since 2017. The president of LICR is Jonathan Skipper, and the chairman of the board is Edward McDermott Jr., former president and CEO of LICR.
