We are proud to announce a historic milestone for our project. On December 22, 2025, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr. Igor Papič, and the Director of the National Institute of Chemistry, Prof. Dr. Gregor Anderluh, officially signed the co-financing agreement for the establishment of the Centre for the Technologies of Gene and Cell Therapy (CTGCT).
This agreement solidifies the financial and structural foundation of our Center, representing a total investment of 30 million euros. This ambitious project is funded through a combination of 15 million euros from the European Commission’s “Teaming for Excellence” (Horizon Europe) program and 15 million euros in matching funds provided by the Republic of Slovenia.
Bridging the Gap Between Science and the Bedside
Our primary mission at the CTGCT is to bridge the “valley of death” that often exists between laboratory discoveries and clinical application. At the signing ceremony, Minister Papič emphasized that this center is not just a scientific project, but a strategic national asset. By providing the necessary infrastructure and expertise, CTGCT will ensure that breakthrough therapies developed by Slovenian scientists reach the patients who need them most.
Our new facilities will be build as an attachment the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana. The center is designed to be a state-of-the-art hub where researchers, clinicians, and industry partners can collaborate. Our focus will be on developing advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), specifically targeting:
- Rare genetic diseases for which no traditional treatments exist.
- Personalized cancer treatments (such as CAR-T cell therapies).
- Other complex conditions requiring innovative gene and cell therapies.
Prof. Dr. Gregor Anderluh highlighted that the CTGCT is built on a foundation of international excellence. Central to the realization of this project is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mojca Benčina, the Head of the CTGCT and a senior research associate at the National Institute of Chemistry. During the signing ceremony, Dr. Benčina emphasized that the center is the result of years of scientific excellence and a clear vision to provide Slovenian patients with access to the most advanced treatments. She highlighted that our mission goes beyond academic research; it is about creating a specialized environment where scientists and clinicians can work side-by-side to develop personalized therapies. We are working closely with four prestigious European partner institutions, University College London (UCL), Utrecht University Medical Center, Technical University of Dresden, Charité University Hospital Berlin, to ensure that our practices meet the highest global standards.
Infrastructure and Future Growth
The funding secured through this agreement will be used to construct dedicated laboratories and clean rooms that meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. This is a critical requirement for producing therapies that can be used in human clinical trials.
Beyond the walls of the laboratory, the CTGCT will serve as an engine for the Slovenian biotechnology ecosystem, creating high-value jobs, attracting international talent, and fostering the growth of local biotech startups.
As we move forward with the construction and staffing of the Centre, we remain committed to our core vision: transforming Slovenian science into gene and cell therapies. We are grateful for the support of the Slovenian government and the European Union, whose investment allows us to turn the promise of gene and cell therapy into a reality for patients in Slovenia and beyond.