More than 60 scientific divisions and working groups are focused on seven research programs: Cell Biology and Tumor Biology, Structural and Functional Genomics, Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention, Tumor Immunology, Innovative Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy, Infection and Cancer and Translational Cancer Research.

The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) manages DKFZ`s intellectual property by actively marketing technologies, seeking industrial partners for licensing and cooperations and by forming start-up companies. The goal of the OTT is to make use of the results for the benefit of the cancer patient and to bridge the gap between research scientists and commercial development partners in industry.

DKFZ currently maintains a portfolio of 227 patent families comprising e.g. novel therapeutics, diagnostics, targets, research tools and devices.