GeneH

GENEH

1. PROJECT NAME: GeneH – Excellence Hub for Advancing Innovation in Gene Therapy

2. PROJECT ID: 101186939 – GeneH – HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-07

3. MAIN GOAL: The GeneH project aims to establish an Excellence Hub in Gene Therapy, based on the Quadruple Helix Model, that integrates academia, industry, public authorities, and society to overcome the challenges still faced in the different phases of gene therapy development and accelerate the translation of research into clinical practice.

4. REGION: Portugal and Slovenia, within the HORIZON 4.1 EU framework

5. BENEFICIARY ENTITIES:

Science/Academia

• Universidade de Coimbra / University of Coimbra (UC) – Portugal
• Kemijski Institut / National Institute of Chemistry (KI) – Slovenia

Innovation/Industry

• Biocant – Associação de Transferência de Tecnologia / Biocant – Technology Transfer Association – Portugal
• Instituto Pedro Nunes / Pedro Nunes Institute (IPN) – Portugal
• Bluepharma – Indústria Farmacêutica, SA – Portugal
• Slovensko inovacijsko stičišče, evropsko gospodarsko interesno združenje / Slovenian Innovation Hub (SIH EEIG) – Slovenia
• BioSistemika – Slovenia
• JAFRAL – Slovenia

Public Authorities

• Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra / Coimbra Local Health Unit (ULS Coimbra) – Portugal
• Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro / Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of the Center  (CCDRC)  – Portugal
• Regionalna razvojna agencija Ljubljanske urbane regije / Regional Development Agency of Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR) – Slovenia

Society

• Associação Portuguesa de Ataxias Hereditárias (APAHE (APAHE) – Portugal
• Zveza organizacij pacientov Slovenije / Association of People with Rare Diseases of Slovenia  (ZOPS) – Slovenia

6. APPROVAL DATE: November 4, 2024

7. START DATE: January 1, 2025

8. END DATE: December 31, 2028

9. TOTAL ELIGIBLE COST: EUR 4,885,375.00, with EUR 217,250.00 assigned to Biocant – Associação de Transferência de Tecnologia

10. EUROPEAN UNION FUNDING SUPPORT (HORIZON EUROPE): EUR 4,885,375.00, of which EUR 217,250.00 is allocated to Biocant – Associação de Transferência de Tecnologia (100% co-financing support)

11. OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES, AND EXPECTED/ACHIEVED RESULTS:

The project aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Promote and establish new, cross-sectoral partnerships and collaborations in the context of gene therapy through its 4-helix network: academia, business, societal actors and policy makers;
2. Drive the translation of research findings into commercially viable products by developing joint research and innovation programs;
3. Implement education and training programs in gene therapy to equip researchers, entrepreneurs, and clinicians with advanced competencies in gene therapy R&I;
4. Prepare the groundwork for clinical trials and market launch of new gene therapy products;
5. Actively engage patient organizations and citizens in gene therapy advancement;
6. Attract sustainable funding, safeguard Intellectual Property (IP) and know-how in Portugal, Slovenia, and Europe, positioning both countries as talent hubs and strengthening Europe’s global competitive leadership.

12. PROJECT WEBSITE: https://www.uc.pt/geneh/