A pioneer gene therapy for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in Europe, affecting around 1.2 million people. Mazowiecki Szpital Bródnowski (MSB) in Warsaw is developing a pioneering gene therapy that uses a viral vector to deliver a gene directly into specific areas of the brain. Using advanced neurosurgical techniques and real-time imaging, the therapeutic gene can be delivered with a high degree of precision.

By restoring the production of key enzymes, the therapy aims to slow disease progression, improve motor functions, and significantly enhance patients' quality of life. In the future, it could also reduce the need for high doses of medication.

For more than 20 years, the hospital has benefited from European funding. This long-term investment has supported the modernisation of its medical infrastructure and the expansion of its research capabilities. Thanks to sustained EU support, the centre has built an international reputation in neurosurgery and gene therapy, becoming one of the world's leading centres for advanced neurological treatments.

With €46.1 million in EU support, the project will fund advanced medical equipment, specialised infrastructure, and the clinical research needed to bring these breakthrough therapies closer to patients. At the same time, it contributes to STEP's wider objective of strengthening Europe's technological leadership in biotechnology.