Mohn Research Centre for

Regenerative Medicine

In Mohn Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine (MRCRM), we aim to develop new cell-based therapies to repair or replace - to regenerate - tissues and cells damaged by disease or injury. Our research focus spans from biomedical to clinical research and clinical trials within the field of regenerative medicine, and our long-term aim is to offer patients new state-of-the-art therapies.

The goal of the Mohn Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine (MRCRM) is to support and strengthen the research environment within regenerative medicine in Bergen, with a particular focus on translating basic research into clinical studies that, in turn, will benefit the patients.

We envision the Centre as an umbrella for the scientific community within this research area, providing a common hub where new research collaborations and ideas can evolve and take the field to the next level.

The Centre is a strategic initiative from Haukeland University Hospital at Helse Bergen Health Trust and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bergen, financed by Trond Mohn Research Foundation for five years (2021-2026). MRCRM builds on an active research environment and the newly established Ex vivo facility at the Laboratory building at Haukeland. This laboratory is a high-grade cleanroom facility operating under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and will manufacture the cells (referred to as Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products - ATMPs) for clinical trials affiliated with the Centre.

What are Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products?

An Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Product (ATMP) is a medicine for human use that is based on genes, cells or tissue engineering.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) classifies ATMP into three main types:

Gene therapy medicines: these contain genes that lead to a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic effect. They work by inserting 'recombinant' genes into the body, usually to treat a variety of diseases, including genetic disorders, cancer or long-term diseases. A recombinant gene is a stretch of DNA that is created in the laboratory, bringing together DNA from different sources;
Somatic-cell therapy medicines: these contain cells or tissues that have been manipulated to change their biological characteristics or cells or tissues not intended to be used for the same essential functions in the body. They can be used to cure, diagnose or prevent diseases;
Tissue-engineered medicines: these contain cells or tissues that have been modified so they can be used to repair, regenerate or replace human tissue.

Combined ATMPs are ATMPs that contains one or more medical divices as an integral part og the medicine (e.g. cells embedded in a biodegradable matrix or scaffold).

ATMPs are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1394/2007 and Directive 2001/83/EC.

Reference: Advanced therapy medicinal products: Overview | European Medicines Agency (europa.eu)

The objectives of the MRCRM are to coordinate groundbreaking fundamental research, and give patients access to state-of-the-art therapies, initially in clinical trials but later as established advanced, personalized treatment, see below. We will achieve this by:

Being the hub for the scientific community
Supporting and promoting fundamental and translational stem cell research
Enabling clinical trials with advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) based on tissues and cells, employing the new cleanroom laboratory at Haukeland University Hospital (i.e. the Ex-vivo facility)
Assisting in steering through the approval process by the Norwegian Medical Products Agency (NoMA)
Implementing novel therapies using ATMPs

In August 2021, the Helse Bergen Health Trust and the University of Bergen established the Mohn Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine. Four research projects, recruited through grants from the Trond Mohn Research Foundation, comprise the initial scientific foundation of the Centre.

The Trond Mohn Research Foundation has generously supported the initiative with 30 MNOK, and the host institutions have contributed with in total 60 MNOK. The Helse Bergen Health Trust has also invested a considerable amount in the new “Ex Vivo” cell production facility, which will be operable at Haukeland University Hospital by the end of 2022.

The administrative unit of the Centre is located at the Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine in the Laboratory Building at Haukeland University Hospital. Still, our research is spread to dedicated laboratories and buildings around Bergen. Thus, so far this is a centre “without walls”.

The MRCRM Team

The appointed centre leader is Professor and MD Einar K. Kristoffersen, Head of the Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine at Haukeland University Hospital. He chairs the MRCRM Management group, which meets monthly to discuss strategic and practical issues.

The MRCRM Steering Group is chaired by the Helse Bergen deputy CEO Clara Gjesdal, and consists of representatives from the Helse Bergen Health Trust, the University of Bergen and the Trond Mohn Research Foundation.

An international Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) has been established and consists of representatives with high compentency on cell therapy and research centre development. The role of the SAB is to support and evaluate the Centre.

If you would like to join the Centre or be informed about MRCRM-related activities and upcoming events, send us an e-mail or see contact information below.