RPR Gencell

RPR Gencell was the pioneering gene therapy division of Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, launched in 1994 to consolidate the company's efforts in the emerging field of genetic medicine. It functioned as a collaborative network, partnering with numerous academic labs and biotech firms to develop a diverse pipeline of viral and non-viral delivery systems. The division's primary research focused on oncology, cardiovascular disease, and monogenic disorders like cystic fibrosis. One of its most prominent projects involved the development of adenoviral-mediated p53 gene therapy for various solid tumors. RPR Gencell was eventually integrated into Aventis following the 1999 merger between Rhone-Poulenc and Hoechst. Its legacy remains significant for establishing one of the first large-scale industrial platforms dedicated to cell and gene therapy.