KU Leuven formally opens new research centre for innovative gene therapy
Flemish Minister for Economy, Science and Innovation Jo Brouns has inaugurated a new research facility for innovative gene therapy at KU Leuven. The new lab and office space for the Trellis research group, led by Professor Els Henckaerts, will carry out research into new, advanced medicines based on harmless viruses that can repair or replace defective genes, thus curing genetic diseases. The research facility was funded by 'Vlaamse Veerkracht' ('Flemish Resilience'), the post-coronavirus relaunch plan from the Flemish Government.
Gene therapy is a revolutionary way of curing genetic-related diseases that have so far remained untreatable. In the past decade, gene therapy has seen a sharp rise, with hundreds of clinical trials currently underway and an increasing number of approved medicines. The bulk of these products make use of a harmless virus, the adeno-associated virus (AAV). The virus is re-programmed to deliver a helpful gene to a patient’s cells thus correcting any genetic abnormality that might be present. The development and production of such medicines are particularly complex and require specific multidisciplinary expertise. Moreover, Europe is currently lagging behind the US as to investments. With targeted investments, including through the post-coronavirus relaunch plan, Europe is aiming to encourage research and innovation in this area.
“Gene therapy is a new therapeutic modality, and its development is complex and expensive,” says Professor Els Henckaerts. “Smart and cost-effective gene therapy drug development requires close interactions between academia, biotech and the pharmaceutical industry. We are setting up an infrastructure that allows for these collaborations to succeed, to capture a wide international expertise, bring it to Belgium and support innovation in healthcare.”
A knowledge and research facility for gene therapy
Given the huge potential of gene therapy and the pioneering role that KU Leuven can play at a European level, Flanders invested 9 million euros in the development of this facility.
“With this new infrastructure, we will develop new knowledge, meaning we can develop medicines for conditions that cannot yet be treated properly today,” says Flemish Minister for Innovation Jo Brouns. “Flanders is a knowledge region, with well-educated, talented and driven researchers. This knowledge centre will, in turn, attract new businesses that can develop and produce these medicines, creating new jobs.”
Enhancing Life Sciences in Flanders
The research centre will become a hub where various partners can find one another and take the first steps towards an innovative medicine that is ready for production. One of those partners is pharmaceutical company UCB.
"Opening the doors of this new facility symbolizes more than just the inauguration of a research centre. It signifies a leap forward in gene therapy research, for UCB and KUL in bridging the gap between academia and industry. With its early process development and research-grade vector production capabilities, this hub is expected to accelerate the translation of gene therapy research into viable therapies. It's not just about pioneering scientific progress, but about a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and above all, to transforming lives", says Laetitia Malphettes, Head of Gene Therapy Process at UCB.