Moroccan professor Mimoun Azzouz, head of the Gene and Cell Therapy Innovation Center (GTIMC) at the University of Sheffield in the UK (270 km north of London), has been awarded the “Outstanding Achievement Award” by the British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy.
This award recognizes 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 leading figure in the development of innovative therapies for neurological diseases.
His work aims to transform fundamental discoveries into tangible treatments by facilitating the transition from laboratory research to clinical trials in humans. Since 2006, Professor Azzouz has raised over £34 million to fund his research and has led pioneering studies in the field.
In an interview with MAP, Professor Azzouz stated that the new award he has just won is “a source of pride” for him and his teams of researchers in Sheffield. He described it as a team effort spanning several years of work and research.
This award recognizes a long-term effort, especially 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 is known for his commitment to training young researchers. This is a field he has been working in for almost 30 years, starting his journey in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1997.
As a scientific entrepreneur, he is behind the company BlackfinBio and is a co-founder of Crucible Therapeutics. He also leads a European consortium valued at 25.5 million euros, bringing together 34 partners to accelerate the development of advanced therapies.
