Freya

Understanding the intricate biological mechanisms underlying rare diseases remains one of the greatest challenges in biomedical research. In response to this complexity, ERDERA is pleased to host the Rare Disease Maps Workshop—a two-day virtual event designed to explore how knowledge graphs and disease mapping can advance research in this field. 

ERDERA is excited to announce a unique two-day, in-person training event in Athens, Greece, designed for young advocates for rare diseases aged 12 to 18 years with essential knowledge and skills to actively contribute to paediatric clinical research. 

A conference entitled “Towards an EU Action Plan on Rare Diseases” will be held on 10 April 2025 at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. Organised by the Polish Ministry of Health, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and the Medical University of Warsaw, the event will mark an important step in shaping future European policy on rare diseases. This high-level meeting will bring together policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and patient representatives to discuss key priorities for a European action plan. With national strategies evolving, the focus now shifts READ MORE

On 27–28 March, ERDERA will participate in the 5th International Conference on Rare Diseases, held in Athens, Greece. ERDERA’s Scientific Coordinator, Daria Julkowska, will be among the esteemed speakers at this event, organised by Rare Diseases Greece (RDG), EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe, and Boussias Events, with the support of ERDERA. This conference will focus on the theme: “Sustainability in Action: Rethinking the Rare Disease Paradigm from Prevention to HTA and Access.” 

ERDERA coordination participated in the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s “Building a Roadmap to Systematically Characterize Rare Diseases” workshop, taking place March 24–26 at CZI Headquarters in Redwood City, California.  

The RE(ACT) Congress & IRDiRC Conference 2025, an international platform for knowledge sharing on rare and orphan diseases, has been a catalyst for scientific collaboration and advancement since its inception in 2012.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) have jointly issued a clear warning about unregulated Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). While these therapies—based on genes, tissues or cells—offer genuine promise, its limited regulation procedures raise serious health and safety concerns. Authorities urge patients to confirm that any ATMP is approved through official channels to avoid potential risks. 

The landscape of clinical research and genomic data governance is evolving rapidly, with two significant developments shaping the future of global health research and regulatory frameworks: the ongoing revision of the ICH E6 (R3) Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guideline and the recent release of WHO guidance on the ethical collection, access, use, and sharing of human genome data. 

We are pleased to announce that the platform for submitting project applications for the Joint Transnational Call for Proposals (JTC) 2025 is now officially live. This highly anticipated call invites research teams across Europe and internationally to collaborate on cutting-edge projects aimed at “Pre-clinical therapy studies for rare diseases using small molecules and biologicals – development and validation.” 

For decades, rare disease patients and their families have endured a painful “diagnostic odyssey,” bouncing between specialists and often going years without answers. Rare diseases, by definition, affect fewer than 5 in 10,000 people in the European Union, but with over 7,000 such conditions cataloged, their collective impact is profound. A staggering 70% of these diseases are genetic, yet pinpointing the precise DNA mutation responsible has often been a Herculean task. Now, thanks to an unprecedented pan-European collaboration and advances in big data analysis, hope is on the horizon for those with previously unsolved rare diseases.