Upholder of excellence in gene therapyGenother awarded Biocluster label
Yesterday, the French President announced that the Genother biocluster — of
which Genethon is a founding member — is being awarded biocluster status in
the context of the France 2030 “Biocluster” call for expression of interest.
Genother receiving the label is a leap forward in establishing a single, pan-
European ecosystem tasked with tackling scientific, technological, and
economic challenges in gene therapy, one of the most dynamic fields of
biomedical research. 24 gene therapy drugs are currently approved by health
authorities around the world. 3,000 products are in development, and by 2025, 20% of
the new products filed are set to be underpinned by gene therapy technologies.
Genother will provide a springboard for starting up and developing dozens of companies
in everything from research to industrial production, attracting the very best talent and
accelerating R&D projects. The goal is to develop a dozen different gene therapies based
on models of rare and common diseases.
Genother’s launch sends out a strong message to the scientific, medical, and industrial
communities, consolidating France’s role as a leader in developing drugs and clinical trials
in this field. The biocluster label is a major asset in bolstering France’s competitiveness
and attractiveness in an innovative branch of medicine that is vital to securing our
country’s healthcare independence and economic development.
Genother’s founders are Genethon, Genopole, AP-HP, Inserm, Université Evry –
Paris Saclay, Spark Therapeutics and Yposkesi. The project enjoys significant
backing and support from the region’s local authorities, patient associations, and a range
of research bodies.
