Innovation Expert Working Group (IEWG)

WP5 aims to support the process of translating the discoveries made in the clinic and laboratory into new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for rare diseases. This process is highly complex, costly and time-consuming, with high failure rates. Successful translation requires both interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral collaboration, as well as access to cutting edge analytical technologies, preclinical models and assays, and bio-samples and data. In light of foregoing, WP5 has as its objective to support the ERNs’ collective ability to develop knowledge into patient benefit by setting up an Innovation Expert Working Group.

Innovation Expert Working Group (IEWG) We have reached out to all ERNs with a request to nominate experts in innovation and translation processes within their networks to join our Innovation Expert Working Group. The IEWG will work closely with, and be advised by ERICA Innovation Advisory Board, consisting of external stakeholders from industry and biotech. The IEWG will operate for the lifetime of ERICA, and report to the General Assembly. We foresee the IEWG to meet ca. 3 times per year, of which one of the meetings should be face to face. IEWG representatives would not be expected to do a large amount of work outside of meetings but would be expected to contribute/edit occasional documents (white papers, manuscripts) as part of the output.

Read more: ERICA IEWG Terms of reference (, 159 KB)