How can Europe accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to life-changing treatments for patients with rare genetic diseases? This question was at the heart of a recent Bloomberg Adria interview featuring Assist. Prof. Mojca Benčina from CTGCT and Professor Luís Pereira de Almeida from the University of Coimbra.
In this engaging conversation, the two experts discussed the vision behind the GeneH project and the challenges of translating promising gene therapy research into real clinical solutions. They explain why world-class science alone is not enough, highlighting the need for stronger collaboration between researchers, industry, public authorities, and patient organizations to bridge Europe’s longstanding “translation gap.”
The interview also explores the project’s ambitious goal of creating platforms and development pathways that can support gene therapies for many rare diseases, far beyond the disorders currently being addressed. Other key topics they discussed were: the importance of patient advocacy groups, the need for sustainable investment in advanced therapies, and the growing role that smaller European countries such as Slovenia and Portugal can play in shaping the future of the field.
Most importantly, the discussion offers a hopeful vision for the next decade: a future where regional centres can develop and deliver more gene therapies, faster, bringing new treatment options to patients who currently have none.
We invite you to watch the full Bloomberg Adria interview and discover how GeneH project is helping build a stronger ecosystem for gene and cell therapy in Europe.
Our thanks to Assist. Prof. Mojca Benčina and Prof. Luís Pereira de Almeida for sharing their valuable insights and commitment to advancing therapies for rare diseases and to our colleagues at the Slovenian Innovation Hub for helping coordinate this interview.