Genopole and research laboratories

SynBioTherapy: synthetic biology as a motor for biotherapies

On 27 November 2024, researchers, clinicians and bioengineering experts gathered in Paris for the SynBioTherapy symposium, co-organized by the DIM BioConvS and the PEPR Biotherapies and Bioproduction, with support from Genopole.

The conference marked a key advancement in creating ties between synthetic biology—still emerging in France—and the world of biotherapies.

"We were in need of moments of convergence like this one to decompartmentalize approaches and create new synergies," explains Chiara Fracassi, coordinator of DIM BioConvS.

A day for bridge-building between disciplines and accelerating therapeutic innovation.

As the day advanced for the various participants, concrete demonstrations illustrated how the engineering of biological systems opens paths toward better-targeted, reproducible and personalizable therapies. Exchanges were focused not only on ex vivo, in vivo and cell therapy applications but also on technological obstacles that remain to be overcome, for example methods standardization.

Among the renowned speakers at the event were Velia Siciliano and Filippo Menolascina, who shared their knowledge on cell engineering and automation in the laboratory. Specific sessions were dedicated to biotherapeutic applications and challenges, with presentations from researchers, such as I-Stem's Christelle Monville, who detailed both the advances and the roadblocks in the production of retina cells from iPS cells.

The biofoundry: automating innovation

True "R&D factories," biofoundries were at the heart of discussions. As explained by Stéphane Lemaire (Sorbonne University), via automation, biofoundries enable the rapid conception, construction and testing of biological systems at large scales. They are clear strategic assets for speeding the development of novel therapies and the industrialization of research.

"Biofoundries favor a systematic and interdisciplinary approach, which is essential for advancing the future of medicine," stated Genopole's Christophe Lanneau.

Finally, the conference gave the Horizon Europe national contact point coordinator (Inserm) an opportunity to present the European call as concerns synthetic biology in health. Horizon Europe is a structuration lever for strengthening the French scientific community and opening paths to new European projects.