Gene therapy is at the forefront of modern medicine. By making precise changes to the human genome, these sophisticated technologies can potentially lead to one-time lifelong cures. As of mid-2022, more than 2,000 gene therapies were in development worldwide, contributing to a global market value that is expected to reach nearly $20 billion by 2027.
Researchers are applying gene therapies to infectious and non-communicable diseases (e.g. HIV, sickle cell disease) that affect tens of millions of people around the globe, most of whom live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Without concerted efforts to build gene therapy capacity in low-resource settings, these transformative treatments are likely to remain out of reach for communities carrying the highest disease burdens, further widening the global health divide.
Developing, testing and approving gene therapies suitable for LMICs will take decades, providing ample time for countries to chart a path forward. This report shows that while gene therapy should not be a priority area for every country, breaking down infrastructure into component parts helps government leaders create roadmaps for capacity building that align with their country’s health, economic and political agendas.
