Medical Research Council announce launch of Centre of Research Excellence for Therapeutic Genomics
We welcome the news that the Medical Research Council has announced the launch of two Centres of Research Excellence with a mission to develop advanced therapies for conditions previously deemed untreatable.
The new Medical Research Council Centres of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) will receive up to £50 million each over 14 years. This initiative could change the landscape of medical treatment, including neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s disease.
The centres will build on the huge progress made in genomics, allowing the genetic basis of many diseases and processes to be identified. Advances in genome editing and other gene therapies have also made it possible to develop treatments for previously incurable conditions.
One of the centres the MRC CoRE in Therapeutic Genomics will focus on accelerating the development of genetic therapies for devastating conditions like Huntington's disease. By advancing therapies such as antisense oligonucleotides and genome editing, the centre aims to overcome challenges in delivering treatments to the brain—paving the way for breakthroughs that could improve the quality of life for people affected by Huntington’s disease.
The centres will also emphasize collaboration, drawing on insights from researchers, clinicians, patient groups, and international partners. This approach ensures that cutting-edge science translates into tangible benefits for patients and their families.
Cath Stanley, Chief Executive of the Huntington's Disease Association, said
Huntington’s disease can have a devastating impact on people with the condition and their loved ones, yet there are still no treatments to stop or reverse the disease’s progression. We welcome the announcement that Huntington’s disease will be one of the conditions that the Medical Research Council Centres of Research Excellence will focus on as part of its work to develop cutting edge gene therapies.
Professor Stephan Sanders, Director of the new MRC CoRE in Therapeutic Genomics, from the University of Oxford, said:
Reprogramming genetic therapies has the potential to treat thousands of genetic disorders. The new Centre will help create a paradigm shift in the knowledge, infrastructure, technology, and industry regulation so that we can make safe and effective patient-customised therapies en masse.
The Huntington's disease community has already seen positive news from uniQure's advancements in Gene therapy. As the CoREs advance their work, they bring us closer to a future where treatments can modify or even halt the progression of this devastating condition.