Genetic medicine, the summer of good news (cross-border guide)

Context

As the climate worries, gene therapies come out of the labs and treat real patients. What is changing in 2026 medicine? 📊

Switzerland, a well-known centre of excellence in medical research, is experiencing a moment of great innovation in genetic medicine. Advances in gene therapies are revolutionizing the treatment of genetic diseases, and patient hopes are growing. But what is behind these changes and how are they affecting Swiss medicine?

One of the main reasons for this change is the advancement of DNA sequencing technologies. The costs of sequencing tests have fallen dramatically, making it possible to diagnose and treat genetic diseases more quickly and at lower costs. For example, the cost of DNA sequencing testing dropped from $10,000 in 2010 to less than $1,000 in 2020, according to a report by the Swiss Center for Bioinformatics (SIB) in Bellinzona.

This innovation is having a significant impact on the treatment of genetic diseases. Patients with genetic diseases such as Tay-Sachs syndrome or Pompe disease can now receive personalised treatments thanks to genetic therapies. For example, in Zurich, the University Hospital recently treated a patient with Tay-Sachs syndrome with a personalized gene treatment, with promising results.

Switzerland is also a leader in genetic medicine research.

Operational details

Genetic medicine is intervening directly on the biological instructions that are at the origin of the problem. The approach is by no means new: the novelty lies in the progressive transition from laboratories to medical practice in the field. Recent developments in this field are revolutionising the way of thinking about medical research and healthcare in Switzerland.

A concrete example of how genetic medicine is changing medical practice is the early diagnosis of genetic diseases. According to data from the University of Zurich, more than 1,000 cases of genetic diseases were diagnosed in Switzerland in 2022, a 15% increase over the previous year. This increase is due in part to the advancement of DNA sequencing technology, which makes it possible to identify disease-causing genetic mutations with unprecedented accuracy.

Early detection is critical for the prevention and treatment of genetic diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 75% of genetic diseases can be diagnosed with a simple DNA analysis. In Switzerland, early detection is possible thanks to the collaboration between diagnostic centers and molecular biology laboratories. For example, the Genetics Centre in Basel offers a range of genetic diagnostic services, including DNA sequencing and analysis of genetic mutations.

Genetic medicine is not limited to

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Key points

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the use of the first CRISPR-based therapy against sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. The treatment consists of taking some stem cells from the patient, correcting the genetic defect in the laboratory and subsequently reintroducing them into the body.

This news is of particular relevance for Switzerland, which has always demonstrated a strong commitment to medical research and the treatment of genetic diseases. Switzerland is a leading country in genetic medicine and CRISPR therapy is just one of many innovative treatments that are changing the lives of people with genetic diseases.

CRISPR therapy is based on gene-editing technology, which allows basic errors in DNA to be corrected. The treatment involves removing the patient's stem cells, which are then corrected in the laboratory using the Cas9 enzyme and guide RNA. Correct stem cells are then reintroduced into the patient, where they can produce healthy cells that can help prevent or treat the disease.

The FDA has approved CRISPR therapy for the treatment of sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia, two genetic diseases that affect people around the world. These diseases are characterized by a deficiency of globin, a protein essential for the production of hemoglobin, which leads to a reduction in the ability to oxygenate the blood.

Therapy

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Source: rsi.ch