Gene therapy has shown enormous potential to prevent, treat, or even cure genetic diseases, but it still faces significant challenges in reaching patients. GeneH is a project funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe programme, bringing together partners from Portugal and Slovenia to foster the development of gene therapy, particularly in the context of currently incurable genetic diseases. The project is led by the research group of Professor Luís Pereira de Almeida, from the Centre for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CiBB) at the University of Coimbra, and emerges as a natural extension of the collaboration between the Centres of Excellence in Gene Therapy being implemented in both countries: GeneT (Centre of Excellence in Gene Therapy, Portugal) and CTGCT (Centre for Gene and Cell Therapy, Slovenia), promoted by the University of Coimbra and the National Institute of Chemistry, respectively. This new project is based on the Quadruple Helix model, an innovative approach that integrates academia, industry, governmental entities, and society, ensuring a comprehensive vision to overcome the challenges of gene therapy. The consortium includes the following partners: University of Coimbra (UC), Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN), Biocant, Bluepharma, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra (ULS Coimbra), Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro (CCDRC), Associação Portuguesa de Ataxias Hereditárias (APAHE), National Institute of Chemistry (NIC), BioSistemika, JAFRAL, Slovenian Innovation Hub (SIH EEIG), Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR), and the Association of People with Rare Diseases of Slovenia (ZOPS).
Project objectives:
Through a multidisciplinary approach, the project aims to accelerate the research and development of new gene therapies, bring scientific advances closer to clinical trials, foster cross-sector collaboration to overcome regulatory and funding barriers, strengthen training and education in the field of gene therapy, and enhance societal engagement. This multidisciplinarity is intended not only to ensure that innovations reach patients with genetic diseases treatable by gene therapy safely and effectively in the shortest possible time, but also to guarantee that their needs are truly taken into consideration. Finally, the project assumes a strategic role in strengthening Europe’s leadership at the global level in this field.
