Reaching Our Community of Stakeholders: ASGCT’s Outreach Highlights

As 2024 ends, the ASGCT Advocacy team reflects on a year of impactful education, outreach, and collaboration with stakeholders advancing the field of gene and cell therapy (CGT). Review the highlights from our patient and global initiatives guided by members throughout the year. 

Patient Outreach Year in Review 

• New educational content on the Patient Education Site:  

  • We launched two new units on Gene Therapy for Genetic Hearing Loss (GHL) and ATTR Amyloidosis. Each includes an animated video, infographic, and supporting written content to explain how gene therapy targets each of these conditions. 

  • We created a glossary of 80+ gene and cell therapy terms to help guide individuals through complex CGT topics and increase consistency of messaging these concepts to patients and the public.   

  • A  growing collection of 34 videos garnered nearly 1.2 million views—these videos are free to use, and share. 

  • The Community Quick Takes program provides five-minute answers from experts addressing timely CGT topics and gathered more than 1,000 views this year. So far, the program has featured 15 expert answering more than 20 questions on topics, including: 

    • The State of the Field: Highlights and Approvals for CGT in 2023  

    • Access to Approved CGTs 

    • Genetic Testing and Clinical Trial Eligibility  

    • Focused Ultrasound for Cell and Gene Therpies  

  • Policy resources for advocates  which address important issues like CGT access. The summaries support advocacy efforts that affect the patient advocate community. 

• Launch of the patient-focused gene and cell therapy newsletter 

  • The Patient Press delivers the latest CGT news and events relevant to patients, caregivers, advocates, and anyone else affected by rare disease.  

  • The inaugural edition reached nearly 2,000 recipients. 

• Registration is open for the Empowering Patients Summit and we've collected more than 200 attendees.  This event will take place over two half days on March 12 + 13, 2025.  

• Engagement with patient advocates at the ASGCT Annual Meeting  

  • Advocates enjoyed complimentary registration, networking opportunities, and curated session paths to maximize their experience. 

  • In 2024, 66 patient advocates participated in this program. Apply here to join us at the 2025 Annual Meeting!   

• Establishment of a CGT speaker bureau and presence at patient advocacy group events  

  • Confirmed seven experts to share knowledge using ASGCT educational materials, fostering awareness of CGTs among patient communities and medical professionals. We held one meeting thus far, with more in the works. 

  • Conducted 12 meetings with leaders of patient advocacy groups interested in or actively pursuing gene and cell therapy treatments.  

  • Exhibited at the NORD Summit and attended Global Genes Week in RARE, connecting with over 100 advocates in the rare disease space and sharing educational resources. 

• Plain language summaries for broader accessibility 

  • Researchers were encouraged to include plain language summaries alongside their submitted abstracts for hybrid events hosted throughout the year, including:  

    • ASGCT 27th Annual Meeting 

    • Advancing CGTs in Cancer  

    • Breakthroughs in Muscular Dystrophy 

Global Outreach Year in Review 

• Global Gene Therapy Training (GGTT) Course   

  • Now in its third year, the virtual course we ran in partnership with Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania awarded 136 certificates to participants from 15 sub-Saharan African countries. 

• Increased global participation at the ASGCT Annual Meeting  

  • GGTT certificate holders were eligible to apply for travel awards to attend the Annual Meeting and be matched with mentors from the Global Outreach Committee.  

  • We granted six awards, with three attendees participating in 2024. 

  • We celebrated attendees were celebrated at the Global Gathering Breakfast, a networking event for international participants. 

• Around the World Series  

  • Included three webinars with live Q&A, one each held with the Japanese Gene and Cell Therapy Society, the Australasian Gene and Cell Therapy Society, and the Brazilian Society.  attracted 388 registrations.  

    • Innovation in Japan  

    • Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product Research in South America   

    • Australasian Gene and Cell Therapy Society (AGCTS) 

• Coalition of International Gene Therapy Societies  

  • The coalition met three times to share events, collaborate, and discuss projects to enhance CGT accessibility. Coalition members include:  

    • American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy  

    • Australasian Gene and Cell Therapy Society   

    • Brazilian Association of Cell and Gene  

    • European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy   

    • Japanese Society of Gene and Cell Therapy  

As we look ahead to 2025, ASGCT remains steadfast in its mission to educate, connect, and advocate for the advancement of gene and cell therapies worldwide. Thank you to all who contributed to a year of meaningful progress  

If you have questions about any of ASGCT’ outreach goals or if you would like to find out about ways to be involved, contact ASGCT’s Chief Advocacy Officer, Margarita Valdez Martínez.  

Alexis is ASGCT's Manager of Advocacy Programs.

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