UC creates new gene therapy research centre to advance treatments for severe and untreatable diseases
'GeneT: Centre of Excellence in Gene Therapy in Portugal' is the country's first research and innovation centre in the field of gene therapy and has secured €38 million in European and national funding over six years.
The University of Coimbra is setting up a new gene therapy research and innovation (R&I) centre to develop and produce treatments for severe and untreatable diseases, including rare diseases. "GeneT: Gene Therapy Centre of Excellence in Portugal" will secure €38 million in funding over six years, supported by the European Commission's Horizon Europe 'Teaming for Excellence' programme and an equal contribution from the Portuguese government.
It is the country's first gene therapy research and innovation (R&I) centre, dedicated to severe and untreatable conditions, with a focus on rare diseases. Equipped both for clinical trials and therapeutics manufacturing, GeneT aims to be a beacon of excellence in research and development in this promising field, fostering collaboration among academia, the clinical sector, and industry within a privileged ecosystem.
The new Centre of Excellence (CoE) is funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe "Teaming for Excellence" programme with €15 million, and by the Portuguese government - with the same amount. In addition, the project has received funding from the Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia [Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology] and several industry and healthcare stakeholders.
GeneT is coordinated by Luís Pereira de Almeida, Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, President of the Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and Coordinator of the Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, was officially launched today, February 2nd, in a ceremony held at 'Colégio da Trindade'.
"GeneT will be the first gene therapy research centre in Portugal. We believe this new research and innovation hub will revolutionize the treatment and progression of severe and currently incurable diseases, given the transformative nature of gene therapy as a curative, one-time treatment. This unique project will combine research, clinical trials, and therapeutic manufacturing, enhancing the contribution that Portuguese science can bring to such a crucial area for the future of humanity", stated Luís Pereira de Almeida.
Gene therapy is a cutting-edge therapeutic approach aimed at developing new treatments for a range of diseases, especially rare and often hereditary conditions, and it has already been shown to have a huge impact on people's lives, resulting in reduced suffering and mortality. It is a field with significant development potential, especially due to its translational nature, which enables scientific knowledge to be applied in clinical practice.
Gene therapy is the latest breakthrough in the treatment and management of neuromuscular or ophthalmological disorders such as spinal muscular atrophy or Leber's congenital amaurosis. Of the approximately 7,000 existing rare diseases, 95% have no effective treatment and affect 6-10% of the world's population. There are currently only 13 gene therapy products on the market to treat these conditions.
"This new ambitious Centre of Excellence will transform gene therapy research in Portugal, creating a unique ecosystem that brings together research, innovation and clinical practice. It is another important step towards confirming the University of Coimbra as a world reference in research and innovation, especially in the field of health sciences," says the Rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão.
GeneT is funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe "Teaming for Excellence" programme with €15 million, and by the Portuguese government - with the same amount. In addition, the project has received funding from the Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia [Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology] and several industry and healthcare stakeholders.
The new CoE at the University of Coimbra will team up with the Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre (University of Sheffield, UK) and the Finnish National Virus Vector Laboratory (University of Eastern Finland), two leading institutions in the field of gene therapy, and will involve several structures of the University of Coimbra, such as the Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, the Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, and the Faculties of Pharmacy, Medicine, and Sciences and Technology.
GeneT is expected to have a profound impact on public health in Portugal, pioneering the development of innovative therapies for severe and untreatable diseases. It will undoubtedly stand as a landmark example of how scientific research can be used to improve people's lives.
