PRO-LONG: Development and acceleration of innovative therapies for rare lung diseases

In this program, shortly mentioned the PRO-LONG program, UMC Utrecht works together with Amsterdam UMC, the Dutch Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia interest group and 34 professional associations, patient organizations and companies (Long Alliance Netherlands) in developing and making applicable innovative treatments for patients with hereditary lung diseases.

In the Netherlands, more than 1.2 million people have a chronic lung disease, the related annual healthcare costs amount to approximately 4 billion euros. Some conditions are partly determined by environmental factors, such as smoking and air pollution. Hereditary factors play a role in almost all lung diseases and some lung diseases (e.g. Cystic Fibrosis and Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia) are even completely determined by genetic abnormalities. People with these conditions are often ill, are often in hospital and often die at a younger age.

In this program, the partners further develop innovative treatments like mRNA and gene therapy using biotechnology and artificial intelligence in human stem cells. This will allow people with lung diseases to be treated much faster with these kinds of new therapies, but the program also encourages scientists and companies to let the Netherlands be at the forefront of these developments and to make the Netherlands a magnet for new knowledge and economic activity.

Interested Dutch researchers and pharma companies are invited to join the program and to apply for a project. Preproposals and requests for information are welcome before March 17, 2025 via pro-long@umcutrecht.nl.