During its first 18 months, GeneT focused on laying the foundations for a fully operational and sustainable Center of Excellence. The legal and institutional framework was established, with the GeneT bylaws approved and governing bodies appointed (Regulation n.º 1030/2025). A dedicated five-year research and innovation strategy was defined, ensuring alignment between scientific ambition, clinical translation, and industrial engagement.
Key progress has been made across objectives. The existing research group on “Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain” was integrated into the CoE as its first resident team, and a new Group Leader has been recruited to expand the research portfolio. The “Viral Vector Research Infrastructure” was incorporated as the seed for the Vector Engineering and Manufacturing Unit, accompanied by the recruitment of its new Director. To strengthen innovation and sustainability, a Head of Technology Transfer and Financial Sustainability was appointed, and a competitive Funding & Grant Management Office has been set up, already supporting successful Horizon Europe applications worth nearly €5.4 million.
Capacity building has been another priority. A dedicated Advanced Training Officer was recruited, and the first Bio-Entrepreneurship course was held in Coimbra, equipping young scientists with skills in entrepreneurship, communication, and early-stage biotech investment. Training and mentoring activities are being structured into a coherent Career Development Programme to ensure a pipeline of highly qualified professionals in gene therapy.
On the technical side, benchmarking with partners led to the development of process flows, facility diagrams, and equipment lists for the future GMP-grade manufacturing unit. These technical blueprints will underpin the establishment of large-scale viral vector production facilities in Portugal, reducing bottlenecks and enabling clinical translation.
Outreach and stakeholder engagement have also been consolidated. GeneT has mapped and expanded its stakeholder network across academia, industry, regulatory authorities, healthcare providers, and patient associations, creating a strong foundation for its Affiliates Platform. Engagement activities, including public events and targeted communication campaigns, have enhanced the visibility of gene therapy and attracted new collaborations. Importantly, GeneT secured a major industry-sponsored research contract with Servier valued at €750,000, demonstrating its ability to attract high-value partnerships.
From a project management perspective, GeneT achieved most of the planned deliverables and milestones, with only minor delays. Out of 13 deliverables planned for this period, 10 were submitted, with three submitted shortly after their deadlines. Of the seven milestones foreseen, six were achieved, with one milestone slightly delayed. This performance demonstrates robust implementation and strong consortium coordination.
Altogether, these achievements mark decisive progress towards establishing GeneT as a reference in gene therapy, capable of combining cutting-edge research with industrial innovation and clinical translation for the benefit of patients and society.
