We are happy to announce the official launch of the Netherlands Center for the Clinical Advancement of Stem Cell & Gene Therapies (NECSTGEN). The new center has been established to accelerate the development and clinical realization of cell and gene therapies. Over the next two years NECSTGEN will create brand new facilities in Mirai House on the Leiden Bio Science Park, in The Netherlands. NECSTGEN is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC).

Research and investment both public and private into cell and gene therapies has rapidly expanded and achieved the first therapies for patients. The potential of advanced therapies to alleviate suffering and support ageing societies is well known. The pace of expansion in the field has in some areas exceeded the capacity both of supply and available expert people to support every new therapy to the clinic affordably. Therefore NECSTGEN will in one location offer the expertise and facilities to support cell and gene therapy organizations, academic, clinical or start-up companies, in the Netherlands and internationally.

NecstGen will create a state-of-the-art research and development center to expedite cell and gene therapies. In addition a GMP facility with class B and class C cleanrooms will be constructed to produce for clinical trials and therapies. Mirai House is currently part occupied by the pharmaceutical company Astellas which has recently agreed to lease vacant space to LUMC to house NECSTGEN.

Located in Leiden, one of Europe’s leading scientific ecosystems in the field of advanced therapies, NECSTGEN will closely collaborate with academia and industry building on strong collaborations with organizations such as RegMedXB and the Center for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) in Canada and Australia.

‘The development of regenerative and gene therapies will change the way patients are treated. We hope by playing our part and supporting the clinical advancement of this new generation of therapies, to help make difference in patients’ lives.’  Says Paul Bilars, CEO, NECSTGEN.