Leiden University Medical Center

H2020 Coordination and Support Action for rare disease research

While individual rare diseases affect only a small percentage of the population, they collectively affect up to 30 million people in the European Union. To promote cooperation on rare disease healthcare and facilitate access to high quality care across borders, 24 European Reference Networks (ERN) are currently active for different rare disease categories.

The European Rare dIsease research Coordination and support Action (ERICA) Project

The ERICA project builds on the strength of these individual ERNs by creating a platform that integrates all ERN’s research and innovation capacity. Through knowledge sharing, engagement with stakeholders in the rare disease domain, and assembly of transdisciplinary research groups working across the global health spectrum, ERICA will stimulate clinical research activities and leverage the cost efficiency of rare disease research in Europe and beyond. This will contribute to earlier diagnosis and better therapies for patients with rare diseases.

The ERICA Consortium consists of 29 partners, amongst which all 24 ERNs, and is coordinated by the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC).

Proud to have supported the ERICA proposal

The ERICA Consortium was awarded € 2.3 million through the European Horizon 2020 programme. This will strengthen the research and innovation capacity of the ERNs and enable safe, accessible and efficient access of therapies for the benefit of patients suffering from rare diseases and conditions.

Hezelburcht is proud to have supported this Coordination and Support Action proposal in multiple internal review rounds.

The fruitful and very pleasant collaboration with Hezelburcht enabled to develop this successful innovative application. - Prof. dr. Alberto Pereira, coordinator of the ERICA proejct