Moroccan Scientist Mimoun Azzouz Wins Prestigious UK Award for Gene Therapy Breakthroughs

Rabat – The Moroccan researcher Mimoun Azzouz has been awarded the “Outstanding Achievement Award” by the British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy, recognizing his major contributions to gene therapy research and scientific training.

Azzouz, who heads the Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre (GTIMC) at the University of Sheffield, is widely regarded as a leading figure in translational neuroscience, focusing on turning laboratory discoveries into clinical treatments for neurological disorders.

His work has significantly advanced research into conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy and Parkinson’s disease, with a strong emphasis on moving from experimental research to human clinical applications. 

Among his key achievements, his team was the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of gene therapy targeting the SMN gene in preclinical models, paving the way for later clinical trials and approved therapies.

Since 2006, Azzouz has secured more than £34 million in research funding and led several pioneering international studies. He currently coordinates a European consortium of 34 institutions and companies working to accelerate the development of advanced therapies, supported by major research funding.

In a statement to the Moroccan press agency MAP, Azzouz said the award represents collective recognition of long-term work: “a pride” for him and his teams in Sheffield, describing it as the result of years of collaborative effort in a highly specialised field.

The professor also highlighted the importance of training young scientists, having supervised 81 researchers, including 20 PhD candidates, while promoting perseverance in biomedical research.

He further expressed optimism about Morocco’s scientific future, stressing the country’s growing potential and emerging research hubs, including universities and innovation centres contributing to global science.

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