Princess Anne visits University of Sheffield for opening of ‘pioneering’ gene therapy research hub

The Princess Royal was in Sheffield on Wednesday to attend the official opening of a “pioneering” gene therapy hub.

The Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre (GTIMC) in Tinsley is part of a new national initiative to advance the development of “cutting-edge” treatments for genetic diseases.

Princess Anne praised how the centre could stand to revolutionise treatments and healthcare, and improve the lives of many patients.

GTIMC Director, Prof Mimoun Azzouz, said in a press release on the university’s website: “We’re delighted that Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, has been able to meet some of our researchers and patients to learn more about the life changing work happening here at the University of Sheffield.

“This is a momentous milestone for revolutionary medical advances not only for Sheffield and South Yorkshire, but also for the UK.”

Alongside locations in Bristol and London, GTIMC forms the UK’s Innovation Hubs for Gene Therapies – a collaborative network launch in 2021 with £18m of funding from the Medical Research Council, Biotechnology Sciences Research Council, and the charity LifeArc.

Professor Ashley Blom, the Vice President and Head of the Faculty of Health at the University of Sheffield, said: “At the University of Sheffield we focus our research on finding real-world solutions to some of the biggest global challenges.

“By addressing the current shortfall in gene therapy production capacity within the UK, the GTIMC will play a pivotal role in accelerating the translation of research into clinical applications.”

She added that the centre will also provide “extensive training and skills development for the next generation of scientists and researchers in this emerging field of medicine.”

It has already created 27 high-skilled jobs.

The facility will build upon research to discover treatments for over 7,000 incurable genetic diseases, including motor neurone diseases, cystic fibrosis, and haemophilia.

Dharmisha Stezaly, whose three-year-old son Sebastian has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, said the benefit of an innovative gene therapy treatment called Zolgensma has “changed our lives in an immeasurable way”.

“At the time of administration, we didn’t know what the future held. But Sebastian has gone from strength to strength and is such a joy – I am incredibly proud and privileged to be his parent.

“I look forward to a day, where newborn screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy is nationwide, allowing faster access to this gene therapy, which can be considered curative when administered early enough.”

Featured image from Dailymotion

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