Unlocking the Potential of mRNA-based Therapies: EURICE Co-hosts Final EXPERT Workshop during 4th mRNA-Based Therapeutics Summit Europe
On 28 January, as part of the Pre-Conference mRNA Technology & Innovation Day at the 4th mRNA-Based Therapeutics Summit Europe, EURICE brought together a number of leading innovators in the field of RNA-based therapeutics to mark the end of the EU-funded EXPERT project.
Launched in 2019, the project set out to transform cancer treatment by developing mRNA-based therapies. Cancer remains one of Europe’s leading causes of death, underscoring the urgent need for innovative therapies. The EXPERT project addressed this challenge by leveraging messenger RNA (mRNA), a molecule instrumental in protein production. This therapy harnesses the ability of mRNA to regulate protein production, and thus potentially treat a number of different, complex diseases.
The workshop highlighted the project’s key findings and focussed on connecting EU research initiatives with potential partners and investors to maximise the projects’ impact and further advance these innovations towards market readiness. Using the EXPERT project as an example, the session aimed to raise awareness about EU resources supporting R&D and commercialisation of RNA therapeutics.
Collaboration in the RNA-Medicine Research Cluster
To enhance synergies between projects and researchers, EURICE, a key partner in these projects, has established a dedicated RNA therapeutics research cluster as part of the team’s growing Health project portfolio. “This initiative aims to maximise impact-driven innovation through collaborative efforts and shared resources, supporting Europe’s leadership vision in biotechnology innovation. Collaboration is key to unlocking the full potential of RNA therapeutics in Europe,” says Dr Sanja Sale, Senior Innovation Manager at EURICE.
The workshop was designed to foster inter-project collaboration with ongoing projects from EURICE’s RNA therapeutics portfolio: Yscript, cmRNAbone, SINPAIN, FORCEREPAIR, ncRNAPain and B-SMART, and to highlight synergies between EU, national or regional initiatives, funding programmes and platforms.
With talks by Professor Raymond Schiffelers (UMC Utrecht), Dr Florence Lambolez (etherna), Dr Iraida Loinaz (CIDETEC Nanomedicine) and Dr Sanja Sale (EURICE), the workshop explored approaches, challenges, and issues regarding exploiting the value generated by mRNA R&I projects.
Looking Ahead
A panel discussion highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the RNA field rounded off the meeting. The panel, comprising the aforementioned speakers, were joined by Chantal Pichon (INSERM) and Christian Plank (Ethris) and discussed EU funding opportunities for RNA researchers, identified current challenges in efficiently utilising the existing infrastructure and services and developed a number of recommendations for the set-up of the new EU framework programme.
As the EXPERT project comes to a close, its achievements, despite initial challenges, highlight the power of collaboration in addressing one of the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time. By building on these foundations, Europe’s RNA therapeutics research community is set to deliver life-changing therapies that will benefit patients worldwide.
For more information about our Health project portfolio, please visit https://www.eurice.eu/key-thematic-areas/health.
