The third edition of the AseBio Forum – TERAV – Ciber on advanced therapies analyzes the challenges of academic research and the industrial capabilities of the biotechnological[...]

AseBio

19 January 2024

AseBio, the Spanish Network of Advanced Therapies (TERAV), and the Biomedical Research Networking Center celebrated the third edition of the Advanced Therapies Forum on January 19th, focusing on "Applications of Non-Viral Vectors in Gene Editing and Gene Therapy: Challenges for Academia and Industry."

The forum, held at the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), serves as a bridge between academic research and the industrial capabilities of the biotechnological sector in Spain, specifically in the field of advanced therapies.

"Consolidating the research and application of advanced therapies allows us to facilitate the introduction of therapeutic innovations tailored to the needs of each patient. As part of precision medicine, an area in which the ISCIII has been particularly committed in recent years, advanced therapies are a field of study where it is crucial to drive the transition from academic knowledge to the development of industrial applications," said the General Director of ISCIII, Cristóbal Belda.

"In this regard, public-private collaboration is a significant help. Meetings like today's are important for working in environments that enable science to generate economic value and, above all, improve people's health."

Advanced therapies are human-use medications based on genes (gene therapy), cells (cell therapy), or tissues (tissue therapy) that have great therapeutic potential, as their development will provide opportunities for some diseases that currently lack effective treatments.

"The forum, originally an annual technical meeting of TERAV, addresses the topic of gene editing from a non-viral perspective, as the future in this field could involve the use of different types of vehicles. The content program and the participating professionals highlight the cross-cutting nature of the theme and the interest not only for TERAV but also for other Consortia funded by the Carlos III Health Institute, such as the CIBERs for 'Rare Diseases' and 'Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine,' and, naturally, for biotechnology-based companies represented by AseBio," explained Agustín Gregorio Zapata González, Deputy Coordinator of TERAV.

"Currently, non-viral vectors are tools that offer a significant series of advantages in gene editing, such as safety by avoiding adverse immune responses, a lower risk of oncogenic activation, or greater ease of production and scalability," explained Ramón Martínez Máñez, Director of the Biomedical Research Networking Center - Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN).

"Gene therapy and editing not only offer hope for rare genetic diseases but also have the potential to revolutionize the approach to more common pathologies, such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases, and are essential pillars in the era of precision medicine. Undoubtedly, this field constitutes a promising frontier that will facilitate a radical transformation in the approach to diseases and the well-being of the population," added Martínez Máñez.

Spain stands out as a reference in the field of advanced therapies

Spain positions itself as a benchmark in the field of advanced therapies, as indicated by the "Map of Advanced Therapy Capabilities in the Biotechnological Industry in Spain" prepared by AseBio. This map highlights that our country holds a prominent position both in terms of scientific expertise and the number of clinical trials in all types of advanced therapies, with more than a hundred per year.

The snapshot provided by this document reveals that, currently, among the over 300 members of AseBio, 47 are involved in the field of advanced therapies: 12 belong to the academic sector, and 35 are biotechnological companies conducting their activities in Spain.

Cell therapy is the primary advanced therapy pursued by AseBio members. Of these 47 members, 85% focus on cell therapy, 60% on gene therapy, and 49% on tissue therapy. Over 30% of these entities work in all three mentioned areas of activity.

More than 30 biotechnological companies in our country have the capabilities for the complete development of advanced therapies, from the initial R&D phases to more advanced processes such as manufacturing, transfer, and distribution.

In terms of scientific publications on cell therapy relative to GDP, Spain ranks fifth, surpassing countries such as South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Italy. It is noteworthy that over the last five years, the volume of publications in our country has increased not only in the field of cell therapy but also in the areas of gene and tissue therapies.

Advanced therapies, a key element for the strategic health autonomy of the European Union

Recent events such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, or the climate crisis have highlighted a series of strategic dependencies in key supply chains in fundamental areas such as healthcare, food, or energy.

In this context, Europe looks towards a horizon where strengthening European strategic health autonomy is essential, as outlined in the document "Resilient EU2023." This roadmap emphasizes the need to "invest more decisively in R&D for new pharmaceutical products and advanced therapies." It warns that in these areas, "Europe lags behind China and the United States." A challenge for which biotechnology, a deep tech transforming the world through various technologies, is crucial, as stated by the European Commission.

The commitment to advanced therapies will not only address diseases but also "increase Europe's competitiveness and ensure affordable access to innovative medicines for European citizens."

As the biotechnological sector plays a significant role in the field of advanced therapies, and given Spain's scientific and technological potential in both the public and private sectors, we have the responsibility to give a new impetus to the biotech sector. With political and social support, and an optimal incentivizing ecosystem, biotechnology can lead cutting-edge areas such as advanced therapies and play a key role in the economy, social well-being, and the strategic autonomy of Spain and Europe.

Hence, AseBio calls for a national effort to renew and boost Spain's commitment to the biotechnological sector. This gives rise to the "Life to Biotechnology" campaign, an initiative driven by AseBio to highlight and give visibility to biotechnology as a highly innovative and strategic industry in our country.

"The pace of biotechnological innovations is rapid. This disruptive innovation must be accompanied by collaborative models that promote its momentum and reduce timelines for its benefits to reach society," expresses Ion Arocena, the General Director of AseBio. "This forum is an example of our commitment to promoting platforms that encourage collaboration and act as a link between research centers, companies, and hospitals, as advocated in the 'Life to Biotechnology' campaign, which includes the request to the government for the creation of a High Commissioner for Deep Strategic Technologies," he concludes.