Take Advantage of Global Outreach Opportunities

The Global Outreach Committee was formed just over three years ago to address the challenge of fostering equitable access to gene and cell therapies in low-resource settings. In that short time, the committee has been a driving force for new international programming and opportunities. I’d encourage you to watch the Around the World series, which is a collection of half-day events held in different regions of the world. In Brazil, South Africa, India, and Lebanon, investigators have been committed to bringing novel therapies to those in need and to developing domestic manufacturing capacity. This series will continue in 2023!

I am proud to continue to include international audiences into the Society’s programming. At the 26th Annual Meeting, there will be an international networking reception to bring together attendees from different areas of the world. This Global Gathering will help to build new relationships and will foster exchange of knowledge and advances in the field. As the premier gene therapy membership association, it’s important that ASGCT membership is accessible to all. I’m pleased to share that we’re now offering economy-based membership rates. All the benefits of membership are available at reduced rates to individuals living in countries with low- and middle-income economies.

Finally, last month, ASGCT held a virtual course for faculty at universities or medical schools in sub-Saharan Africa called Introduction to Gene Therapy for Educators. In partnership with Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, this certificate-awarding course equips participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to educate students on the advances in clinical gene therapy. The course is four weeks and covers gene therapy methods, clinical trials, ethics, regulatory aspects, and the role of patient advocacy organizations. The faculty participating in the course are trained by ASGCT members to implement gene therapy education into their university and medical school curricula and thus inform the next generation of clinicians and scientists. The committee hopes to continue to host similar programs that will increase awareness of the state of the gene therapy field in low- and middle-income countries. Keep an eye on the Global Outreach page of ASGCT’s website for information on future opportunities.

I look forward to seeing you in Los Angeles for the 2023 ASGCT Annual Meeting!

Dr. Rao is chair of ASGCT’s Global Outreach Committee and associate dean of research and development and professor in the department of biological sciences and bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.