I-Stem, formed by merging Inserm/UEVE 861 and CECS (supported by AFM-Téléthon), conducts translational research on stem cells for rare genetic diseases. The institute encompasses fundamental and applied research, featuring a biological and technological resources center. CECS, a non-profit research association within I-Stem, specializes in pluripotent stem cells, generating 250+ iPS cell lines for 30+ rare diseases. CECS focuses on modeling 10 NMDs, with an automated reprogramming and myotubes differentiation method, a chemical library for drug repurposing, and screening facilities. In the consortium, CECS/I-Stem contributes expertise and resources for research and clinical applications.
Kantify is a pioneering computational drug discovery company leveraging AI to revolutionize therapy development. Our state-of-the-art AI platform, Zeptomics, swiftly identifies promising drugs for various disease targets, delivering unparalleled speed and performance. Zeptomics excels in predicting targets, hits, and ADMETox properties with groundbreaking precision. Specializing in small molecules and targeted protein degraders, Kantify is a pre-clinical biotech dedicated to Artificial Intelligence for Human Health. In the last 36 months, we have successfully developed a proprietary AI-based platform for drug discovery.
The University of Coimbra (UC), established in 1290, is a Portuguese public institution of higher education, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Comprising 10 faculties, 2 research units, and 9 cultural support structures, UC focuses on education, research, and knowledge transfer. Offering 75 PhD, 145 Master, and 45 Bachelor programs, UC is internationally oriented, with 24,340 students, including 2,942 from over 40 countries. Its 30+ research units, like CIBB, conduct multidisciplinary research in biomedical sciences. CIBB, part of the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, collaborates with Coimbra University Hospitals and the biotech industry. With ca. 210 PhD investigators, CNC/UC emphasizes age-related diseases, innovative therapeutic strategies, and knowledge transfer. UC Business manages industrial property, fostering collaboration with over 500 regional partners and promoting innovation and knowledge transfer.
INSERM unites 15,000 professionals, including researchers, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff, all dedicated to advancing knowledge of living organisms and diseases. Founded in 1964, INSERM has played a pivotal role in major medical breakthroughs, such as prenatal diagnostic tests, HLA system mechanisms, in vitro fertilization, AIDS virus identification, cancer radiotherapy, skin grafts, deep brain stimulation, and gene therapy. Known for scientific excellence, INSERM excels in translational research, seamlessly bridging labs to patient beds. Collaborating closely with hospitals and universities, its joint research units near healthcare centers ensure success by combining diverse skills and maintaining proximity to patients. INSERM actively promotes scientific culture, sharing researchers’ work through events like open days and conferences, fostering knowledge dissemination locally and nationally.
The Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) is a public health establishment and the university hospital center (CHU) serving the Ile-de-France region. As the largest employer in Ile-de-France, AP-HP engages a workforce of 100,000, including doctors, researchers, paramedics, administrative staff, and workers. Recognized as the leading CHU in Europe, AP-HP comprises 38 hospitals organized into 6 GHUs, annually catering to 8.3 million patients through consultations, emergencies, scheduled hospitalizations, and home hospitalizations. Operating as a 24/7 public health service, AP-HP considers it both a duty and a source of pride to provide healthcare for everyone.
Founded in 1912, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology is Israel’s foremost university, a hub for applied research, and a key driver of the country’s innovation. Renowned globally, Technion has been pivotal in groundbreaking scientific contributions, notably in medicine, sustainable energy, computer science, and nanotechnology. With a medical school fostering swift translation of research into therapies, Technion boasts four Nobel laureates, sharing the 8th spot with MIT in this century. Offering degrees across diverse disciplines, it houses 18 faculties, 60 research centers, and 10 interdisciplinary frameworks on its 300-acre Mount Carmel campus. Collaborating with over 200 institutions worldwide, Technion has strategic partnerships with Cornell University in New York and Shantou University in China. The Technion Research and Development Foundation (TRDF) oversees research programs and technology transfer via T3, facilitating startups. Notably, Shenhav Cohen, a faculty expert, leads pioneering research on muscle atrophy, uncovering cellular and biochemical events, proposing models for myofibril destruction, and identifying sequences leading to desmin filaments loss, aiming to develop rational therapies for aging and disease.
Founded in 1958, the French Muscular Dystrophy Association, AFM-Téléthon, is a nonprofit patient organization focusing on neuromuscular diseases. Comprising patients and their relatives, AFM-Telethon addresses these rare, genetic, and debilitating conditions through innovative initiatives. With two core missions, Care and Cure, AFM-Telethon introduced facilitators who assist around 15,000 patients, guiding them to appropriate contacts, securing social rights, and providing aids. In the realm of Cure, AFM-Telethon annually supports numerous international laboratories, funding about 250 global research projects. Pioneering its own research laboratories—Genethon for gene therapy, I-Stem for stem cells and pharmacological screening, and the Institute of Myology for clinical follow-up—the organization plays a vital role in advancing biotherapies and clinical trial readiness. In the consortium, AFM-Telethon offers access to a substantial patient pool and coordinates interactions between patients, scientific experts, and clinicians.
Zabala Innovation, a Spanish SME with 480 employees, is a leading consultancy firm with a vast global presence. Featuring experienced advisors in multiple international offices, Zabala specializes in facilitating clients’ access to grant funding from various European and International authorities. With over 16 years of expertise in Social innovation, Social awareness, Stakeholder engagement, and the Management of RTD Innovation activities, ZABALA has been dedicated to social development, international cooperation, project management, and human rights worldwide. Established in 1986, our firm is a well-established RTD and Innovation consultancy working extensively across Europe. Currently, we provide contract-based consultancy services in RTD and innovation management to a diverse portfolio of 600 organizations, including SMEs, large companies, RTD centers, universities, and public entities.
Known as ‘London’s Global University’, University College London (UCL) is a world-leading multidisciplinary institution with more than 16,000 staff and 50,000 students representing over 150 countries. UCL has an outstanding global reputation for research excellence and is committed to driving innovation and impact that improves lives in the UK, across Europe, and worldwide. Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities globally in the QS World University Rankings, UCL combines academic rigor with a strong focus on societal benefit. As part of the DREAMS consortium, UCL will harness its expertise in biomedical sciences, neuromuscular disorders, translational research, and advanced disease modelling to deepen understanding of rare muscle conditions and accelerate the development of novel therapies. This work will be strengthened through strategic partnerships with leading institutions, including The Francis Crick Institute, ensuring that cutting-edge science translates into meaningful future clinical outcomes.
