On 2 and 3 November 2026, 21 patient representatives from 11 countries gathered in Paris for the REMEDi4ALL Repurposing Bootcamp for Patient Representatives. Over a day and a half, participants looked at how patient organisations can identify, support and advance drug repurposing projects. Expert presentations, case studies and group work covered the different stages of the repurposing pathway, from identifying a promising opportunity and selecting the right collaborators to assessing funding proposals and considering how a medicine might ultimately reach patients.
Where can patient organisations make a difference?
Patient organisations can contribute to repurposing projects in many different ways. The REMEDi4ALL Bootcamp for patient representatives looked at how representatives’ knowledge and experience can support drug development, alongside some of the decisions organisations face when deciding where to invest limited time and resources.
Sessions also introduced some of the practical considerations that can shape a repurposing project, including intellectual property, on-label and off-label routes, reimbursement and health technology assessment. Participants also explored what makes a strong research funding application and the key considerations when deciding to support a project.
Learning from experience
Two REMEDi4ALL Patient Champions contributed their own perspectives to the programme: the session looked at the role patient representatives have played in the project, the collaborations needed to move work forward and some of the challenges encountered along the way. Alessandra Tolaccia shared her experience of the MOI-A study, investigating the repurposing of Losartan for Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Alan Finglas, patient champion for the REMEDi4ALL demonstrator project looking at the repurposing of Tazarotene for multiple sulfatase deficiency (MSD), shared key lessons learned from the last ten years as a patient representative.
Their experiences brought a practical patient perspective to the discussions and underlined the importance of seeking sound scientific advice while building the knowledge and skills needed to engage effectively in a repurposing project.
Overcoming repurposing bottlenecks
This edition of the bootcamp saw a new session on repurposing bottlenecks which explored some of the reasons why promising projects can struggle to progress.
The case of Niemann-Pick disease was used to introduce challenges including limited commercial incentives, unclear ownership of development and the absence of a sponsor able to take a potential treatment through the next stages of development.
Participants then worked in small groups to discuss three recurring challenges: deciding when the evidence is strong enough to move from the laboratory towards clinical testing; balancing early off-label access with the need to generate robust evidence; and ensuring that a successfully repurposed medicine remains affordable and available to patients. Discussions explored how patient organisations can address these challenges and identify potential barriers earlier in the repurposing journey.
Taking the learning back to patient communities
By bringing together patient representatives and expertise from across the repurposing pathway, the Bootcamp provided a practical introduction to the different considerations involved in moving a repurposing project forward. The discussions offered participants a broader view of where patient organisations can contribute and what may be needed as projects progress towards patient access.
About REMEDi4ALL
REMEDi4ALL is creating a European platform to accelerate medicines repurposing, bringing together researchers, clinicians, patient organisations, research infrastructures and other stakeholders to help identify new uses for existing medicines. By providing expertise, services and support across the development pathway, REMEDi4ALL aims to accelerate patient access to safe, effective and affordable therapies for unmet medical needs.
Interested in learning more about REMEDi4ALL’s training opportunities? Explore the REMEDi4ALL Repurposing Academy.
