LUMC and NecstGen are strengthening their development and production facilities for cell and gene therapy by bringing everything together under one roof within LUMC. The strengths of both organizations will be combined, preserving the best of both and allowing them to reinforce one another.
The LUMC Center for Cell and Gene Therapy has a strong position as an “incubator” for bringing cell and gene therapies to patients. NecstGen, in turn, has extensive knowledge and expertise in cell therapy, viral vector production, and bringing these therapies to market. By combining our knowledge, experience, and experts, we are creating a strong foundation for the further development of cell and gene therapy. With this merger, we will be better prepared for the cell and gene therapies of the future.
What are cell and gene therapies?
Cell and gene therapies are advanced treatments that use cells or genetic material to treat diseases. They are developed for patients with serious conditions for whom existing treatments do not work well. Cell and gene therapies are used, for example, whether or not in a study setting, for patients with cancer and type 1 diabetes. Within LUMC, this work connects scientific research, clinical expertise, and specialized production capabilities, with the aim of bringing innovative therapies closer to patients.
A changing market
The market for cell and gene therapy is developing rapidly. The departure of Galapagos as a major customer of NecstGen shows that partnerships and market positions can change. This calls for continuous reassessment of our strategy around cell and gene therapy. LUMC and NecstGen have recently held intensive discussions about the future. Bringing together the cell and gene therapy facilities of LUMC and NecstGen under one roof within LUMC is the logical and future-proof solution. The facilities will continue together under the name NecstGen Center for Cell and Gene Therapy. The new facility will remain part of RegMed XB and the national pilot plant for regenerative medicine.
Ymke Fokma, member of the Executive Board of LUMC: “Our aim is to make cell and gene therapy accessible to patients more quickly, including for SCID, a rare inherited disorder of the immune system. The reality, however, is that the changing market requires a revised course. Fortunately, we have found that course together. We will continue to invest in cell and gene therapies. This enables LUMC to keep building, in a focused way, innovative treatments for the future.”
The decision-making process was preceded by a careful and intensive trajectory. Many discussions were held with the parties involved, during which various scenarios were explored and weighed in order to arrive at an appropriate solution. In the coming period, LUMC and NecstGen will carefully go through the formal procedures.
The proposed decision of the Executive Board is currently being submitted to the Supervisory Board and the Works Council.
About the LUMC Center for Cell and Gene Therapy
The LUMC Center for Cell and Gene Therapy facilitates the development and production of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) and other innovative biological products. The center offers expertise in translational drug development and the production of new innovative medicines for clinical use. The center serves as the “incubator” for bringing cell and gene therapies into the clinic and has the right academic and subject-matter expertise in-house to do so.
About NecstGen
NecstGen is a spin-off from LUMC and was officially opened in 2022. NecstGen focuses on making cell and gene therapies accessible to patients more quickly. In recent years, NecstGen has established a high-quality production facility that supports academic and commercial parties in the development of these innovative treatments. As the full owner of NecstGen, LUMC has invested in NecstGen’s production facility in recent years.
