Pioneering a Future Without Crohn’s Disease: INTERCEPT Kicks Off in Berlin
On 19 February 2025, 21 partners from Europe, the United States and South Korea gathered in Berlin, Germany to officially launch the INTERCEPT project – a groundbreaking initiative to stop Crohn’s disease before it starts.
The Kick-Off Meeting marked a powerful start to this ambitious initiative, which aims to detect and intercept Crohn’s disease in its earliest, pre-clinical stages before symptoms even appear. The meeting brought together clinicians, scientists, patient representatives and industry experts who are united by a bold vision: to change the trajectory of Crohn’s disease by identifying and acting on early warning signs in the pre-clinical stage of the disease.
The one-day meeting began with introductions from all project partners, each outlining the contributions and responsibilities they will bring to INTERCEPT. Presentations explored the scientific foundation of the project, including what is known so far about the pre-clinical phase of Crohn’s disease and how biomarker research is offering new insights into who might develop the condition and when. Discussions also highlighted how INTERCEPT builds on knowledge from previous research efforts, such as the PROMISE Consortium in the U.S., while charting new ground in Europe.
The meeting featured a guest talk that offered key takeaways from rheumatology research, providing valuable perspective for INTERCEPT’s approach. Additional highlights included the introduction of Paloma Mallorquín, Innovative Health Initiative Project Officer (the INTERCEPT project is funded by the IHI), and a presentation from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the project’s industry lead, outlining the company’s role and support in achieving the project’s objectives.
Crucially, the day also focused on the clinical and societal importance of the PREDICT-CD study — the first European clinical study using biomarkers to identify individuals at risk of developing Crohn’s disease, focusing on first-degree relatives of people already living with the condition. Partner organisation the International Federation of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Associations (IFCCA) underscored the value of involving the patient community and their families to ensure that research is responsible, inclusive and relevant.
Led by Project Coordinator Prof. Geert D’Haens (Stichting Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands) and co-lead PI Prof. Jean-Frédéric Colombel (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, USA), the meeting set a strong foundation for the project’s collaborative work ahead. Their leadership energised the consortium and reinforced the project’s commitment to working across borders and disciplines to unlock a future without Crohn’s disease.
The next annual INTERCEPT Consortium Meeting will take place on 11–12 December 2025 in Amsterdam, Netherlands — a key milestone that will reflect on the project’s progress and steer it into the next phase.