DARLINGHURST, Australia (August 10, 2026) - Professor Stuart Tangye's research lab has been recognized as a Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies.
The Center will be based at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research under the leadership of Professor Stuart Tangye, who will serve as Center Director. Professor Tangye is also Chair of the Clinical Immunogenomics Research Consortium Australasia (CIRCA), where he leads a regional network dedicated to accelerating genomic discovery and advancing precision medicine approaches for individuals with Primary Immunodeficiency, also known as inborn errors of immunity (IEI).
“The establishment of a Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center at Garvan represents a significant milestone for both Australian immunology and the global Primary Immunodeficiency community,” said Professor Stuart Tangye, Center Director. “The Center will provide a powerful platform for collaboration with leading clinicians and researchers across Australia and around the world through the Jeffrey Modell Centers Network. By combining cutting-edge immunology research with clinical expertise, we are uniquely positioned to advance understanding of Primary Immunodeficiency and accelerate the development of new diagnostic approaches and treatments. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that every patient receives the right diagnosis and the best possible care as early as possible.”
With this recognition, the Tangye lab joins the Jeffrey Modell Centers Network (JMCN), which represents the global standard for specialized care and research in Primary Immunodeficiency (PI). Membership is awarded to physicians, researchers, and institutions committed to achieving the earliest and most precise diagnoses and to advancing meaningful treatments for individuals living with these rare disorders.
“Our network advances the field of immunology through cross-continental collaboration, groundbreaking research initiatives, and improved access to specialized care,” said Vanessa Tenembaum, Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey Modell Foundation. “We are absolutely thrilled to have Garvan on board to represent the incredible achievements by Australia and New Zealand's leading researchers and clinicians within the Clinical Immunogenomics Research Consortium Australasia study.”
Established by the Jeffrey Modell Foundation in New York City, the JMCN addresses the critical need for international collaboration and expert referral in the diagnosis and management of Primary Immunodeficiency. Today, the JMCN spans 93 countries and includes more than 930 physicians who collectively care for over 265,000 patients worldwide.
This recognition highlights the strength of collaborative immunogenomics research in Australasia and reinforces CIRCA's commitment to improving diagnosis, understanding disease mechanisms, and developing more effective treatments for patients with rare immune disorders.
About the Clinical Immunogenomics Research Consortium Australasia (CIRCA)
CIRCA is a research collaboration based at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, within the St Vincent's Sydney Health Innovation Precinct. CIRCA brings together experts across different specialties, from scientific and research organizations globally, to identify the causes of challenging immune diseases. The consortium creates research opportunities through an established ecosystem of scientists and clinicians from many disciplines, to accelerate the discovery and diagnosis of rare immune diseases.
About the Jeffrey Modell Foundation
Fred and the late Vicki Modell established the Jeffrey Modell Foundation in 1987 in memory of their son Jeffrey, who passed away at the age of fifteen from complications of Primary Immunodeficiency, a genetic condition that is chronic, serious, and often fatal if not diagnosed correctly.
The Jeffrey Modell Foundation is a global non-profit organization dedicated to early diagnosis, meaningful treatments, and, ultimately, cures for Primary Immunodeficiency through research, physician education, public awareness, advocacy, patient support, newborn screening, and genetic sequencing.