ASGCT President Terry Flotte Touts Rare Disease Initiatives as His Term Ends

As his term as President of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) concludes, Dr. Terry Flotte emphasizes the critical focus on rare and ultra-rare diseases. Flotte, who is also Editor in Chief of Human Gene Therapy, highlights the upcoming conference in Boston as a pivotal moment for advancing access to cell and gene therapies (CGT). This year’s presidential symposium will showcase initiatives aimed at fostering universal access to CGT, particularly for those conditions that often fall through the cracks of traditional healthcare pathways.

In response to an alarming trend of clinical-stage CGTs being shelved due to market viability issues, ASGCT has launched CGTxchange, a collaborative platform designed to connect promising therapies with potential investors and partners. This initiative aims to streamline the process for clinical-stage CGTs that are not progressing, thereby enhancing the likelihood of their development and availability to patients. As Flotte steps down, he leaves behind a legacy of advocacy for rare diseases, underscored by tangible efforts to improve patient access and outcomes in the gene therapy landscape.