Professor Mimoun Azzouz, a Moroccan at the head of the Gene Therapy Innovation Center (GTIMC) at the University of Sheffield in the UK, has been honored by the British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy with the “Outstanding Achievement Award.”
This recognition acknowledges the researcher’s contributions to research and training in the sophisticated field of gene therapy. Also a professor of translational neuroscience at the University of Sheffield, Mimoun Azzouz has emerged as a prominent figure in the development of innovative therapies for neurological diseases.
His work aims to translate fundamental discoveries into practical treatments, bridging the gap from laboratory research to clinical trials in humans. Since 2006, Professor Azzouz has raised over £34 million to finance his research and has led pioneering studies in the field.
In an interview with MAP, Professor Azzouz stated that the new award he has received is a “source of pride” for him and his teams of researchers in Sheffield. He described it as a collaborative effort spanning several years of work and research.
This award recognizes extensive work, particularly discoveries and research on drugs and treatments in the field of spinal muscular atrophy affecting infants as well as Parkinson’s disease.
As part of his work, the Moroccan professor stands out for his commitment to training young researchers. This is a field in which he has been working for almost 30 years, starting his journey in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1997.
A scientific entrepreneur, he is behind the company BlackfinBio and is a co-founder of Crucible Therapeutics. He also leads a European consortium funded with €25.5 million, bringing together 34 partners to accelerate the development of advanced therapies.
