Background: Gene and cell therapies (GCTs) face various communication and comprehension challenges when transitioning from bench to bedside. These
challenges include complex science, regulation, and ethics, impacting clinical adoption and the GCTs sector. Moreover, the challenges are often
exacerbated by misinformation and voices dominated by AI-mediated search platforms owned by tech giants.
Methods: The EuroGCT consortium was built through connecting 47 European partner organisations including academic institutions, learned societies,
national centres of excellence, and patient organisations. Funded by the European Commission, the consortium has created a network of expertise and an
online information hub that focusses on the pivotal role of science communication in navigating the complexities of therapy development and public
comprehension. It is dedicated to demystifying GCTs as it extends beyond the laboratory and enters the realms of broader societal impact.
We began from the position that digital spaces – particularly search engines like Google – create the backbone of the informational environments that
inform non-expert interactions. Through targeted science communication initiatives, building and updating our information hub at www.eurogct.org, we
explore the significance of engaging with diverse stakeholders, including patient advocacy groups, regulators, clinicians, developers, media, bioethicists,
social scientists, artists, computer scientists, and the public at large. By fostering two-way dialogue and disseminating accessible information including
explainers, factsheets, films, and educational material, we empower these stakeholders as they search for high quality referential information online.
Through implementing self-developed, research-led search engine optimisation and metadata enhancements, we improve EuroGCT resources’ visibility in
search engines and generative AI searches.
By fostering engagement, promoting transparency, and advocating for collaborative resource development, EuroGCT endeavours to realise the full potential
of these transformative treatments to improve health outcomes while contributing to a fair and equitable society.
Results: EuroGCT is a common information hub for pre-competitive, international and interdisciplinary collaboration to address pressing concerns faced by
our research community as well as the patients and publics.
To empower the public and patient stakeholders to actively and effectively participate in shaping the trajectory of GCT development, we have developed
accurate and accessible information explaining the science, the ethical and social impact in the Discover section of the hub.
To help stakeholders interested in developing GCTs navigate the complex pathways bringing therapies from lab to patients, the Research Pathways section
facilitates their access to information on practical steps needed at each stage of product development.
Our results extend beyond the boundaries of public facing information to address key considerations in all stages of therapy development, such as
regulatory frameworks, accessibility, and equitable access. Website traffic and search engine (including AI search) integration demonstrate EuroGCT's
success in achieving its objectives.
Conclusions: The EuroGCT consortium's work underscores the critical importance of collective science communication in driving responsible and inclusive
translation of gene and cell therapies beyond the laboratory through accessible information. EuroGCT’s information hub is an established common tool for
all European stakeholders.