On April 10, 2025, Dubai Medical University had the honor of hosting Dr. Nalan Utku, a distinguished Professor of Immunology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and internationally recognized biotech entrepreneur and innovator.

Dr. Utku, a clinician-scientist with over two decades of experience in translational medicine, drug development, and regulatory affairs, has led groundbreaking work in oncology and autoimmune disease therapeutics. With multiple board positions, global patents, and published scientific contributions, she continues to be a key advisor to biopharmaceutical companies and venture capitalists across Europe and the US.

The visit began with a warm welcome extended by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sherief Khalifa, and the Deans, who introduced Dr. Utku to the DMU community and highlighted the significance of her visit to the University’s academic and research missions.
At DMU, she delivered two inspiring sessions. The first session for the DMU Students’ Career Session entitled “Overcoming Barriers – Becoming a Biotech Entrepreneur.” Students were deeply inspired as Dr. Utku shared her personal journey from her days as a medical student in Germany, through her research fellowship at Harvard Medical School, to becoming a biotech entrepreneur and scientific leader.

The second session for the DMU Faculty Research Seminar entitled “The Magic of Innovation – Transforming Knowledge into New Medicine.” Faculty members were highly motivated by her transformation of cutting-edge research into impactful therapies, leading to the development of over 30 patents in cancer and immune therapies. Her insights into translational medicine and academic entrepreneurship sparked exciting conversations about future research directions at DMU.

Following the sessions, Prof. Sherief Khalifa, along with members of the research team, accompanied Dr. Utku on a tour of DMU’s research facilities, showcasing the university’s ongoing initiatives and future aspirations in medical innovation.