Mazovia has officially launched a groundbreaking biotechnology initiative with the signing of a funding agreement between the Mazovia Region and the European Commission under the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). The event marked the inauguration of the project “Innovative gene therapies for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders” and highlighted the growing political importance of strengthening Europe’s capacity in critical health technologies.
Organised by the Board of the Mazowieckie Region and the Board of the Mazovian Bródno Hospital, the conference brought together representatives of European institutions, national authorities, regional leaders and the scientific community. Implemented under STEP within the programme “European Funds for Mazovia 2021–2027,” the project is among the first in Poland of this scale focused on advanced gene therapies and the development of breakthrough treatments in neurodegenerative diseases.
Opening the event, Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Mazowieckie Region, underlined the strategic and societal dimension of the initiative. “Mazovia is not just joining the global leaders in gene therapy research – Mazovia is helping shape that future. It is here that a new kind of medicine begins, giving Parkinson’s patients a real chance at a better life.” He emphasised that the project represents more than a research endeavour; it is a decisive European step toward transformative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. By investing EU funds in innovative gene therapies, Mazovia is reinforcing its position as a leader in modern medical innovation while turning patients’ hope into concrete, life-changing solutions.
Sari Rautio, President of the EPP-CoR Group in the European Committee of the Regions, addressed participants from a broader European policy perspective. “When you ask Europeans what matters most to them, health is always among the top priorities,” she said, stressing that citizens expect Europe to deliver more research, stronger cross-border cooperation and faster access to cutting-edge treatments. She highlighted that tackling brain health challenges is beyond the scope of any single country and requires collective action across borders, academia and industry. Referring to the Mazovian project as a strong example of such cooperation, she pointed to the combination of regional scientific excellence and European funding as a driver for developing and manufacturing critical technologies. Rautio, who serves as the rapporteur on the next MFF also noted that in the next EU financial framework, regional and national authorities will need to ensure that health remains firmly embedded in partnership plans and funding priorities, underlining that investing in health ultimately means investing in a better tomorrow.
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The project aims to strengthen Mazovia’s biotechnology sector, accelerate the development of innovative gene therapies for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, and enhance the region’s competitiveness in advanced medical research. By leveraging support under STEP, an EU initiative designed to boost investment in critical high-tech sectors, Mazovia is positioning itself at the forefront of Europe’s efforts to advance biotechnology and improve patient outcomes.
Further information about the project and its implementation under the “European Funds for Mazovia 2021–2027” programme is available from the Marshal’s Office of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and Mazovian Bródno Hospital.