Professor Mimoun Azzouz

School of Medicine and Population Health

Chair of Translational Neuroscience

ERC Advanced Investigator

Director of Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre (GTIMC)

ARDAT Coordinator

Professor Mimoun Azzouz
Profile picture of Professor Mimoun Azzouz
m.azzouz@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 2238
+44 114 222 0654 (Administrator: Laura Haslam)

Full contact details

Professor Mimoun Azzouz
School of Medicine and Population Health
Room B31
Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN)
385a Glossop Road
Sheffield
S10 2HQ
Profile

Mimoun Azzouz is currently Professor of Translational Neuroscience and Director of Gene Therapy Innovation & Manufacturing Centre (GTIMC) at the University of Sheffield. His pioneering work, which has already produced major breakthroughs, led to real translational impact into major therapeutic advances for human neurodegenerative diseases. 

Azzouz leadership has been recognized by several prestigious awards, e.g. ERC Advanced Investigator, ERC Proof-of-Concept, IMI ARDAT (www.ardat.org). He successfully attracted a unique combination of substantial funding from public, private, charity and local authority to establish GTIMC, a centre which includes provision of a state-of-the art manufacturing facility for gene therapy products to treat patients. 

Azzouz is member of Panels/Boards of funding bodies, Scientific Advisory Board memberships, Evaluation Committees, keynote and plenary lectures at established international meetings/institutions. He is inventor on several patents and is co-founder of 2 start-ups companies: BlackfinBio and Crucible Therapeutics.

Research interests

Azzouz has great drive and passion to employ his scientific skills for the ultimate benefit of patients and families suffering from some of the most devastating diseases in medicine.

Azzouz achievements went beyond therapy development. Indeed, he also made significant discoveries related to the mechanisms of diseases in ALS/MND and SMA. For example, The recent discovery of the mechanism underpinning genome instability and neural cell death caused by C9orf72 expansion in ALS [Nature Neuroscience 20(9):1225-1235. (2017)] and role of PTEN in ALS and SMA [Human Molecular Genetics, 19(16):3159-68 (2010); Brain, 134(Pt 2):506-17 (2011)].

Major research interests

  • Use of viral based gene transfer systems for research and therapy applications.
  • Design and development of CNS targeted gene therapy vector systems
  • In vitro and in vivo modelling of ALS/MND and SMA using viral vectors
  • Identification of novel gene therapeutics to neurodegeneration in motor neuron diseases and HSP.
  • Development of various gene therapy concepts: neuroprotection (GDNF, VEGF), gene silencing (SOD1), gene replacement (SMN) and approaches based on CRISPR editing (C9orf72).
  • Clinical development to gene therapeutics: GLP regulatory safety studies and GMP manufacturing
  • Biology of RNA binding proteins (e.g. SMN, Gle1).
  • Elucidation of molecular mechanisms linked to DNA instability in ALS/MND, SMA and Dementia.
  • Process innovation to establish novel processes for manufacturing of viral vectors.
  • Manufacturing of clinical vectors for phase 1/2 human clinical trials. 

Collaborations

InstitutionCountry
Asphalion S.L. (ASP)ES
Commissariat A L’Energie Atomique (CEA)FR
Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular (CNC)PT
Genethon (GNT)FR
Genosafe SAS (GNS)FR
Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET)PT
Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epiniere (ICM)FR
Institut National De La Sante et La Recherche Medicale (INSERM)FR
Lund University (LU)SE
Lysogene (LSG)FR
Hannover Medical School (MHH)DE
Mimetas BV (MIM)NL
Pharmacoidea (PHI)HU
SynVaccine Ltd (SVC)IL
Takis Biotech (Takis)IT
The Chancellor Masters And Scholars-University of Cambridge (UC)UK
The Rosalind Franklin Institute (RFI)UK
University of Liverpool (ULIV)UK
University of Heidelberg (UKHD)DE
University College London (UCL)UK
University of Eastern Finland (UEF)FI
The Chancellor Masters And Scholars-University of Oxford (UOXF)UK
Pfizer (PFE)UK
Bayer (BAY)DE
Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (J&J)BE
Lonza AG (LAG)CH
Novartis (NVS)CH
Novo Nordisk (NOVO)DK
Sanofi-Aventis (SARD)FR
Spark Therapeutics, Inc (SPK)US
Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG (TPIZ)CH
Viscofan SA (VSA)ES 
Astellas Pharma Europe BV (ASTEL)NL
Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

All publications

Journal articles

Book chapters

Conference proceedings

  • Roach M, Azzouz M & Webster C (2022) Identification and Validation of Target Receptors for AAV9. MOLECULAR THERAPY, Vol. 30(4) (pp 426-426) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Roach M, Webster C & Azzouz M (2022) Identification and validation of target receptors for AAV9. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 33(23-24) (pp A56-A56) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Webster CP, Crossley OM, Yang ZL, Coldicott I, King MC, Souza CDS, Ferraiuolo L & Azzouz M (2022) Gene-based therapeutics for C9ALS/FTD. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 33(23-24) (pp A91-A91) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wiseman J, Cruzeiro J, Scarrott J, Karyka E, Marchi P, Webster CP, Yang Z, Coldicott I, Shaw PJ, Ferraiuolo L & Azzouz M (2022) Gene Replacement Therapy for Spastic Paraplegia 47. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 33(23-24) (pp A26-A27) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Alves-Cruzeiro JM, Karyka E, Bauer C, Coldicott I, Simon S, Hautbergue GM, Webster C, Myszczynska M, Higginbottom A, Ferraiuolo L & Azzouz M (2019) Gene editing as a potential therapeutic approach for ALS/FTD-associated with expanded C9ORF72. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 30(8) (pp A22-A22) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chandran J, Sharp P, Collins M & Azzouz M (2016) Site specific labelling of adeno-associated virus identifies targets for enhancing viral transduction efficiency. Human Gene Therapy, Vol. 27(7) (pp A14-A14). London, UK, 15 June 2016 - 15 June 2016. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Iannitti T, Scarrot JM, Coldicott IRP, Kaspar BK, Ferraiuolo L, Shaw PJ & Azzouz M (2016) Gene Therapy for Familial ALS Using AAV9 Mediated Silencing of Mutant SOD1. Human Gene Therapy, Vol. 27(7) (pp A12-A12). University College London Institute of Child Health View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Herranz-Martin S, Lewis KE, Coldicott I, Chandran JS, Lukashchuk V, Iannitti T, Shaw PJ & Azzouz M (2016) Experimental modelling of ALS by AAV-mediated in vivo modulation of the C9ORF72 gene. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 27(7) (pp A16-A16) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Scarrott J, Ferraiuolo L, Heath P, Gelsthorpe C, Kaspar B, Shaw DP & Azzouz M (2016) Investigating the Specificity of RNAi Molecules in Human Gene Therapy for Superoxide Dismutase 1-linked Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 27(7) (pp A16-A17) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Alsomali N, Seytanoglu A, Valori C, Kim HR, Ning K, Ramesh T, Sharrack B, Wood JD & Azzouz M (2014) Deficiency in Gle1, an mRNA export mediator, inhibits Schwann cell development in the zebrafish embryo. FEBS JOURNAL, Vol. 281 (pp 771-771) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Almansoori K, Valori C, Furley A, Chandran J, Wood J & Azzouz M (2014) The mRNA exporter GLE1 is essential for embryonic development. FEBS Journal, Vol. 281(Suppl 1) (pp 644-645) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Mohammedeid A, Ning K, Kong SC, Azzouz M & Grierson A (2014) Regulation of protein aggregation by Arfaptin2 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 25(5) (pp A14-A14) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Azzouz M (2013) SMN replacement gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy: clinical development. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 24(5) (pp A10-A10) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Woodroofe MN, Sinagra M, Bunning R, Bolton C & Azzouz M (2013) EFFECT OF SILENCING ADAM17 EXPRESSION BY AN ADENOVIRAL VECTOR-MEDIATED RNA INTERFERENCE APPROACH IN CHRONIC RELAPSING EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS.. GLIA, Vol. 61 (pp S43-S43) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lovewell TRJ, McDonagh AJ, Messenger AG, Maleki-Dizaji A, Azzouz M & Tazi-Ahnini R (2013) Meta-analysis of AIRE regulated gene expression microarray data reveals a network of transcriptional interactions mediated by intermediate nodes. IMMUNOLOGY, Vol. 140 (pp 58-58) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Little D, Valori C, Wyles M, Shaw P, Azzouz M & Ning K (2013) Systemic delivery of scAAV9 expressing PTEN siRNA prolongs survival in a model of spinal muscular atrophy. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 24(5) (pp A27-A27) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Binny C, Karyka E, Ning K, Bennett E, Ince P, Shaw P & Azzouz M (2013) Efficient scAAV9-mediated delivery of SMN to motor neurons in neonatal and juvenile mice. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 24(5) (pp A38-A38) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lovewell TRJ, Mcdonagh AJG, Abu-Duhier F, Azzouz M, Messenger AG & Tazi-Ahnini R (2013) The effect of AIRE-207 polymorphism on AIRE transcriptional activity highlights the potential role of AIRE in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata. JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 133(5) (pp 1395-1395) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Valori CF, Ning K, Wyles M, Mead RJ, Grierson AJ, Shaw PJ & Azzouz M (2010) Systemic delivery of scAAV9 expressing SMN prolongs survival in a mouse model of SMA. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 21(10) (pp 1424-1425) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Azzouz M, Valori C, Ning K & Wyles M (2010) Current Advances in Gene Therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 21(10) (pp 1388-1389) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jarraya B, Lepetit H, Ralph S, Miskin J, Gurruchaga JM, Fenelon G, Boulet S, Jan C, Bonvento G, Azzouz M , Brugiere P et al (2010) Gene Therapy in Parkinson Disease: From Preclinical Studies in Primates to a Phase I Clinical Trial. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 21(6) (pp 764-765) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Nanou A, Higginbottom A, Valori C, Wyles M, Ning K, Shaw P & Azzouz M (2010) Oxidative Stress as Target for Neuroprotection in Experimental Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). NEUROLOGY, Vol. 74(9) (pp A436-A436) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Seytanoglu A, Valori C, Ramesh T, Sharrack B & Azzouz M (2010) Reduced GLE1 Protein Levels Cause Axonal Growth Defects in Zebrafish Motor Neurons. NEUROLOGY, Vol. 74(9) (pp A441-A441) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ning K, Drepper C, Ismail A, Valori CF, Wyles M, Higginbottom A, Herrmann T, Shaw P, Sharrack B, Sendtner M & Azzouz M (2010) PTEN Depletion Rescues the beta-Actin Deficit in Axonal Growth Cones in Motoneurons from a Mouse Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. NEUROLOGY, Vol. 74(9) (pp A489-A489) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Valori C, Ning K, Wyles M & Azzouz M (2010) Complete Rescue of SMA Mouse Model by Systemic Delivery of scAAV9 Mediating SMN Replacement. NEUROLOGY, Vol. 74(9) (pp A287-A287) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jarraya B, Ralph S, Lepetit H, Stratful E, Boulet S, Jan C, Bonvento G, Azzouz M, Miskin JE, Gurruchaga JM , Vinti M et al (2009) A Phase I/II Trial for Parkinson's Disease Using a Lentiviral Vector (ProSavin (R)). MOLECULAR THERAPY, Vol. 17 (pp S197-S197) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jarraya B, Ralph S, Lepetit H, Boulet S, Jan C, Bonvento G, Azzouz M, Miskin J, Gurruchaga JM, Palfi S , Fenelon G et al (2008) ProSavin: A gene therapy for Parkinson's Disease. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 19(10) (pp 1060-1061) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Goodhead LH, Ning K, Azzouz M, Kingsman SM, Mitrophanous KA & Ralph GS (2008) Optimizing EIAV vectors and delivery routes for ALS gene therapy. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 19(4) (pp 405-405) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jarraya B, Ralph S, Bonvento G, Shin M, Jan C, Delzescaux T, Drouot X, Herard AS, Brouillet E, Azzouz M , Conde F et al (2007) Lentiviral-mediated dopamine replacement mediates sustained correction of parkinsonian symptoms in an MPTP-lesioned NHP model. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 18(10) (pp 1026-1026) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Goodhead L, Azzouz M, Kingsman SM, Mitrophanous KA & Ralph S (2007) Optimizing EIAV vectors and delivery routes for ALS gene therapy. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 18(10) (pp 1026-1027) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Azzouz M (2006) Treatment of familial ALS using Lentiviral-mediated silencing of mutant SOD1. NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS, Vol. 16 (pp S53-S54) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ralph S, Radcliffe PA, Bilsland L, Greensmith L, Mitrophanous KA, Mazarakis ND & Azzouz M (2004) Targeted ablation of mutant SOD1 in ALS models using lentiviral mediated delivery of interfering RNA. JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Vol. 90 (pp 59-59) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tanase D, Teng QS, Krishnaney AA, Liu JK, Garrity-Moses ME, Mazarakis N, Walmsley LE, Azzouz M & Boulis NM (2004) Cervical spinal cord delivery of a lentiviral vector in SOD-1 transgenic mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY, Vol. 9 (pp S201-S201) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Teng QS, Garrity-Moses M, Liu JK, Tanase D, Azzouz M, Walmsley L, Mazarakis ND & Boulis NM (2004) EIAV-IGF-I gene transfer to motor neurons enhances axonal length in vitro. MOLECULAR THERAPY, Vol. 9 (pp S280-S280) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jarraya B, Azzouz M, Miskin J, Ralph SG, Wilkes F, Rohll J, Walmsley LE, Ellard F, Kingsman SM, Mitrophanous KA , Hantraye P et al (2004) Functional rescue of parkinsonian non-human primates by a dopamine producing multicistronic lentiviral vector. MOLECULAR THERAPY, Vol. 9 (pp S407-S407) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Themis M, Gregory LG, Waddington SN, Holder MV, Mitrophanous KA, Buckley SMK, Bigger BW, Ellard FE, Walmsley LE, Radcliff P , Mazarakis N et al (2004) The fetal approach: A novel therapy for the treatment of musculo-skeletal disease. MOLECULAR THERAPY, Vol. 9 (pp S91-S91) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Azzouz M, Le T, Ralph SG, Wilkes F, Burghes AH, Kingsman SM, Mitrophanous KA & Mazarakis ND (2004) VEGF gene therapy with retrogradely transported lentivirus prolongs survival in mouse ALS model. MOLECULAR THERAPY, Vol. 9 (pp S200-S200) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Azzouz M, Le TN, Waddington S, Walmsley L, Monani U, Wilkes FJ, Themis M, Mitrophanous KA, Burghes A & Mazarakis ND (2003) Lentiviral vector-mediated gene therapy for a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. MOLECULAR THERAPY, Vol. 7(5) (pp S248-S248) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Azzouz M, Leclerc N, Gurney M, Warter JM, Poindron P & Borg J (1997) Progressive motor neuron impairment in an animal model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. NEUROCHEMISTRY (pp 485-490) RIS download Bibtex download

Patents

  • Azzouz M, Scarrott J & Karyka E (2021) Gene Therapy Treatment. WO2021205028A1 Appl. 14 Oct 2021. RIS download Bibtex download

Datasets

Preprints

Research group

SITraN Research team

  • Evangelia Karyka, Postdoctoral Research Associate
  • Joseph Scarrott, Postdoctoral Research Associate
  • Michela Pulix, Postdoctoral Research Associate
  • Emily Graves, PhD Student
  • João Alves-Cruzeiro, PhD Student
  • Paolo Marchi, PhD Student
  • Louise Whiteley, Research Technician
  • Nesrin Gariballa, Research Attachment
  • Rachel Waller, ARDAT Project Manager
  • Chris Webster, SITraN Fellow
  • Daniel Hollard, PhD Student
  • Zih-Liang Yang, Research Technician

GTIMC Team

Professional activities and memberships
  • 2006-2008   Advisor for Oxford BioMedica plc.
  • 2008-2013   Member of the Scientific Advisory Board, Muscular Dystrophy Association (F)
  • 2010-2016   Member of Strategic Board, AFM (F)
  • 2010               Member of the Evaluation Committee: Genethon, Paris, France
  • 2012-2016   Panel member for the UK Medical Research Council (MRC DPFS)
  • 2013-2014   Neuroscience Panel Member, German Ministry of Education and Research
  • 2011-2012   Advisor for BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc
  • 2012-2013   Advisor for QBRI, Qatar Foundation, Qatar
  • 2014-2016   Advisor for Spherium biomed
  • 2013-2015   Panel member, Health Research Board (HRB), Dublin (Ireland)
  • 2016-2019   Board member of British Society for Gene & Cell Therapy
  • 2017-             Scientific Advisor for Beat Batten Foundation: Aashi's Hope Foundation
  • 2017-             Scientific Advisor for CureAP4
  • 2017-             Scientific Advisor for Maddi Foundation
  • 2018               Chair Evaluation Committee, NCMM, Research Council of Norway, Oslo, Norway
  • 2018-2020   Telocyte Scientific Advisor Board (SAB)
  • 2018-             Member of the LifeArc Philanthropic Fund Panel
  • 2018-             Panel member of Irish Research Council, Advanced Laureate Awards Scheme
  • 2019               Expert Panel – Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI)
  • 2020-             Member of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Panel College
  • 2020-             NC3Rs CRACK IT Challenge 32 Transgene Track - Challenge Panel
  • 2021-             Scientific Advisory Board, Alcyone Therapeutics
  • 2021- 2024   Chair, NHSA Northern Network for Advanced Therapies
  • 2021               MHRA Pharmacovigilance Expert Advisory Group to advice on medicine development
  • 2021-2025    Chair of UKRI MRC/LifeArc National IHfGT process Innovation Committee
  • 2021               REF21 sub-panel UOA 4, Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
  • 2022-              Panel member, Caixa Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
  • 2023               MHRA Pharmacovigilance Expert Advisory Group
  • 2025-             Member of the ERC Advanced Awards Panel
  • 2025               Franklin Institute Bower Award Selection Committee
Honours and awards
  • 2017: ERC Proof-of-Concept Award
  • 2014: Chair and organiser of Fusion Conference, Cancun, Mexico
  • 2012: ERC Advanced Investigator Award
  • 2012: Nomination for The Shaw Prize 2012
  • 2011: MRC DPFS Award holder
  • 2008: Chairman of UK SMA Conference
  • 2006: Faculty of the American Society of Gene Therapy
  • 2006: Faculty of the American Society of Neuroscience
  • 2006: Approached for an advisory role to the UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for “Defra desk study to review environmental risks from research trials and marketing of Genetically Modified (GM) veterinary and human medicines”