The ERICA Project: joining forces to integrate research and innovation capacity across all 24 European Reference Networks

Alberto Pereira Arias

The European Rare disease research Coordination and support Action (ERICA) Project received a positive evaluation for a H2020 grant of 2.3 million to establish a structural framework in support of the research activities of the ERNs.

ERICA will strengthen research and innovation capacity by integration of ERN research activities, outreach to European research infrastructures to synergistically increase impact and Innovation. This will result in safe, accessible and efficient access of therapies for the benefit of patients suffering from rare diseases and Conditions.

Rare diseases

Rare diseases are defined as diseases that affect not more than 1 person per 2000 in the European population. However, while individual rare diseases affect only a small percentage of the population, they collectively affect up to 30 million people in the EU.

A great deal of research into rare diseases is carried out at LUMC. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), has recognised 40 centres of expertise in the field of rare diseases.

European Reference Networks

In 2017, 24 European Reference Networks (ERNs) were established by the European Commission. The aim of these networks is to facilitate access to high-quality cross-border healthcare and to promote cooperation on healthcare for rare diseases between Member States.

The ERICA project builds on the strength of these individual ERNs by promoting inter-ERN research activities and by establishing close partnerships with existing European and international infrastructures and consortia involved in research and innovation in the field of rare diseases.

The ERICA Consortium consists of 29 partners, amongst which all 24 ERNs, EURORDIS, the EJP RD, Orphanet, Mapi Trust Research, and EATRIS. The ERICA Project is coordinated by Alberto Pereira (Endo-ERN coordinator, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands).

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