This Tuesday, October 11th, the COST Action HAPLO-iPS project launch was held in an online conference. During the day, different management positions were appointed, and the coordinators of the seven previously defined work groups were assigned.

The COST Action HAPLO-iPS project, led by Dr. Anna Veiga, group leader of IDIBELL and P-CMRC and director of the Barcelona Cell Lines Bank, will create a collaboration network for the generation of stem cells (iPS) homozygous with the most frequent HLA haplotypes. These iPS could be used for the production of cells for cell therapy clinical trials compatible with a significant percentage of the population. The project will develop a data collection system for these lines.

The challenge will be approached essentially by networking with all the stakeholders involved sharing knowledge, standardizing methodology, and developing an educational training program for researchers.

This network includes all relevant stakeholders: hiPS generation centers or banks, umbilical cord blood banks, cell production centers, immunology experts, quality control experts, regulatory bodies, national agencies and bioethics experts.

HAPLO-iPS also promotes the participation of researchers from countries with less research activity. These participants will have access to research centers of excellence, training courses, and mentoring programs for young researchers.

Overall, this proposal will pioneer new approaches that will advance the generation of haplo-selected hiPS for clinical application in cell therapy for patients’ benefit.