A New Hope for Patients with Rare Diseases: Centre of Excellence CREATIC Opens Cutting-Edge Facilities for the Development of Advanced Therapies
The Centre of Excellence CREATIC at Masaryk University’s Faculty of Medicine has opened new state-of-the-art facilities designed to accelerate the development and availability of advanced cell and gene therapies. By integrating research, manufacturing, and clinical application within a single infrastructure, the centre aims to shorten the path from innovation to patient care, particularly for those living with rare and serious diseases.
For patients with rare and serious diseases, the path to effective treatment is often long, uncertain, and highly dependent on access to specialized technologies. At the same time, advanced cell and gene therapies represent one of the fastest-growing areas of modern medicine. The newly opened facilities of the Centre of Excellence CREATIC at Masaryk University’s Faculty of Medicine aim to significantly shorten this path and make innovative therapeutic approaches more accessible to patients in the Czech Republic and across the wider Central European region.
“As Rector, I am pleased to see that such a large project has successfully met all deadlines and commitments, which is not always easy. As a former Dean, I am proud that the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University established CREATIC and continues to open itself further to the world and to excellence. It is a path of development I have long believed in. But above all, as both a physician and a person, I am pleased that the centre aims to improve the lives of those who need it most – patients living with very rare diseases.” says Martin Bareš, Rector of Masaryk University.
The opening of the new premises marks not only the launch of new laboratory operations, but above all a major milestone in the development of a centre unique within the Czech context.
“From the very beginning of building the Centre of Excellence CREATIC, our focus has been on patients with rare diseases, for whom sufficiently effective treatments often do not exist. For these patients, access to innovative therapies can be crucial. In one place, we are now able to cover the entire process of developing medicinal products – from basic research through preclinical development and manufacturing to subsequent clinical trials,” explains Regina Demlová, Director of the Centre of Excellence CREATIC.
The new facility offers more than 1,000 m² of research and manufacturing space and includes six production units housed within certified cleanrooms that meet strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
“The Centre of Excellence CREATIC is an excellent example of connecting research and clinical practice, combining academic, research, and applied clinical spheres in close proximity to treated patients. Through its mission, CREATIC represents excellence in research, development, and manufacturing of innovative medicinal products for advanced therapies at the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University,” says Martin Repko, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.
The centre’s technological infrastructure includes state-of-the-art platforms for genomic analysis, cell engineering, and quality control. A key component is a sequencing system that enables detailed analysis of genetic changes using long-read DNA sequencing technology. The production of cell and gene therapies relies on modern automated systems, enhancing standardization and safety. The laboratories are further equipped with advanced analytical technologies, including bioreactors, chromatographic systems, flow cytometry, and real-time cell monitoring devices.
“The construction of the CREATIC centre infrastructure was an exceptionally complex project that required close collaboration among experts from multiple fields from the very outset. It involved a number of unique solutions tailored to the specific needs of a modern research environment, including the development of cleanroom facilities. The completion of this demanding project demonstrates Masaryk University’s ability to deliver strategic investments at a high level of quality and with a long-term vision,” adds David Póč, Bursar of Masaryk University.
At the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, specific advanced therapy medicinal products have already been developed. These include the cell-based anticancer therapy MyDendrix, based on the use of autologous dendritic cells, which is used in pediatric patients with high-risk malignancies and was the first in the Czech Republic to receive a hospital exemption granted by the State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL) for clinical use. Another example is the cell-based medicinal product FlyCellix, which targets epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition also known as butterfly skin disease.
The centre’s new manufacturing capacities provide a strong foundation for the further development of these therapies, as well as for the creation of new innovative products currently under development at CREATIC. These advances have the potential to significantly improve outcomes for patients with previously difficult-to-treat diagnoses.
The significance of the centre goes beyond technological infrastructure. CREATIC systematically develops the concept of responsible innovation in advanced therapies, emphasizing treatment accessibility, transparent communication with patients, and the long-term sustainability of healthcare innovations. The new facilities therefore represent not only an expansion of research capacity but also a strengthened commitment to delivering clinically meaningful and socially responsible solutions.
