Brazilian research groups dedicated to gene therapies have joined forces to launch the National Institute of Gene Therapy (INTERGEN). This innovative initiative brings together researchers from different Brazilian institutions, including Fiocruz Bahia, FMUSP, Hospital Israelista Albert Einstein, ICESP, INCA, Santa Casa de São Paulo, UFMG, UFPE, UFRGS, UFRJ, UNESP, and UNIFESP, with the goal of integrating and advancing research conducted in Brazil.
Gene therapies use genes as therapeutic tools—that is, treatments that work by correcting, replacing, or modifying genes responsible for certain diseases. Each research group focuses on different areas, such as cancer treatment, lysosomal diseases, neuromuscular diseases, limb ischemia, neurodegeneration and sickle cell anemia.
Currently, gene therapy technologies are dominated by a few countries, meaning that Brazil must rely on imports for its population to access these treatments through the public healthcare system (SUS). INTERGEN aims to accelerate the development of national technologies, making them available at lower costs and increasing access to healthcare.
According to Professor Bryan Eric Strauss, a professor at the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP) and leader of the Viral Vector Laboratory (LVV), part of the Center for Translational Research in Oncology (CTO) at the Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), “The existence of INTERGEN shows that researchers are motivated and united in bringing their studies from the laboratory bench to clinical practice. This journey is long and full of challenges, but together we are stronger in overcoming obstacles and contributing to a promising and innovative future for gene therapy in Brazil.”
INTERGEN comprises ten associated laboratories and research groups: Viral Vector Laboratory – LVV (ICESP/FMUSP); Gene Therapy for Rare Diseases Group – InRaras (UFRGS); Gene Therapy Research Center – CINTERGEN (EPM-UNIFESP); Cellular and Gene Immunotherapy Group (INCA); Gene Therapy and Neurodegeneration Research Group (UFMG); Tissue Engineering and Immunopharmacology Laboratory – LETI (Instituto Gonçalo Moniz/Fiocruz Bahia); Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy Group – GEMTE (UFPE); Biomaterials and Nanotechnology Group (UNESP); Stilhano’s Laboratory (Santa Casa); Gene Therapy and Viral Vector Laboratory (UFRJ); Proadi Sickle Cell Anemia Group (Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein). Discover all the research groups (in Portuguese).
INTERGEN will also compile the scientific articles published by these groups, serving as a repository for researchers and students interested in gene therapies developed in Brazil. Access the publication archive.
