This morning, we officially launched the IPCEI-P-SMaRT project, a collaboration between NecstGen, LUMC, NTrans Biotechnologies B.V., and Divvly, supported by IPCEI Med4Cure. This initiative will advance gene editing and gene therapy production platforms, strengthening Europe’s position in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
A big thank you to our speakers for their insights:
🔹 Paul Bilars (NecstGen) – Welcome and introduction to the project and its ambitions.
🔹 Karla van Rooijen (VWS, Director of Medicines & Medical Technology) – The government’s perspective on the role of advanced therapies in healthcare.
🔹 Niels Geijsen (LUMC) – Presentation on the non-viral CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing production platform, a flagship project.
🔹 Frank Staal (LUMC) – Insights into the lentiviral vector gene therapy production platform, another key initiative within the project.
The future of cell and gene therapies is patient-centered, transforming how we approach medicine. With pioneering research from experts like Frank Staal, gene therapies are progressing from experimental treatments to lifesaving solutions for individuals with severe genetic disorders.
By focusing on scalable manufacturing and clinical application, these therapies have the potential to shift from rare disease treatments to broader applications, ultimately reshaping healthcare by providing personalised, curative therapies rather than lifelong disease management.
We concluded the morning with a tour of NecstGen’s cleanrooms, where we explored the high-tech facilities that will play a crucial role in the project. Seeing the state-of-the-art manufacturing environment firsthand sparked engaging discussions on the future of gene therapy production and how we can accelerate the journey from research to real-world impact for patients.
🔗 Read more about the project here: Press release
We’re looking forward to the next steps with our partners!
#CGT #IPCEI #biotech #innovation #genetherapy #celltherapy
