Application period: November 3rd, 2025 to January 16th, 2026
Focus on: Start-ups and late-stage academic projects in the field of gene- and cell-based innovations
Definition:
International gene- and cell-based therapies (GCT) are defined here as the following methods, among others:
- Therapeutic approaches with advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs):
- Somatic cell therapeutics (for example in the form of stem cells, immune system cells or mesenchymal stromal cells, among others)
- Gene therapeutics in the form of substitution, addition or suppression therapies using viral and non-viral vectors or genome editing
- Tissue engineering products such as the production of tissues for surgical use, including the use of novel biomaterials
- Therapeutic approaches with novel biological products, such as mRNA- and other nucleic acid-based methods, extracellular vesicles or exosomes
- Companion diagnostics for advanced therapies
- Oncolytic virus-based therapies, which employ genetically engineered or naturally occurring viruses to selectively infect and destroy tumor cells while stimulating systemic anti-tumor immunity
- Bacteria-based therapeutics, making use of naturally occurring or engineered bacteria (e.g. Clostridium, Salmonella) for targeted tumor colonization, local delivery of therapeutic agents, and immune modulation
- Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) along the GCT value chain, e.g. in:
- the discovery and optimization of therapeutic targets and vectors,
- predictive modeling of patient responses and therapy outcomes,
- automation and quality control in cell and tissue manufacturing,
- analysis of multi-omics data for personalized treatment strategies.
Benefits:
- Participate and pitch at GeneNovate Investors' Day on June 9, 2026.
- Connect with relevant key investors and industry leaders.
- Benefit from expert selectionby a jury comprising academic representatives, public and private investors.
- Enhance your presentation with mandatory pitch training in April/May 2026.
- Travel support: We will take care of your accommodation and cover the travel costs for one participating person.