GENETROPOLIS

Genetropolis — learn the ATMP pathway through play

Genetropolis is a serious board game that immerses teams in the end-to-end journey of developing Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)—from early concept to patient access. Players design a critical path, balance time and budget, collect boosters, and navigate wild cards that mirror real-world hurdles and lucky breaks. The goal: bring your candidate therapy to patients within time and budget and earn the golden patient-access token.

Who is it for?

  • Academic groups and translational researchers working on ATMPs
  • SMEs, accelerators, and incubators
  • Hospital and GMP facility teams
  • Funders, policy makers, and patient representatives looking to understand the ATMP pathway

 

 

What you’ll learn

By playing Genetropolis, teams practice:

  • Critical-path building across ATMP development (from preclinical to HTA and access)
  • Regulatory milestones (e.g., CTA, MAA, Orphan Designation, Scientific Advice) and GMP manufacturing & scale-up
  • Evidence planning (potency, safety/efficacy, post-marketing surveillance)
  • Funding strategy (public and follow-on funding) and route-to-market choices
  • Patient engagement and its impact on decisions and outcomes

 

How the game works

Phase 1 — Build the critical path
Teams pick an ATMP candidate, place end-goal cards (MAA, post-marketing surveillance, patient access), then sequence the critical steps in between. Choices affect cost, time, and probability of success.

Phase 2 — Play the path
Using color-matched case cards arranged to mirror the chosen path, teams take turns reading, making decisions, paying costs, updating the clock, drawing wild cards, and deploying boosters. You win if you reach patient access within budget and time.

Formats & duration

  • Workshop (up to ~2 hours gameplay) for 8–10 participants per table; multiple tables possible
  • Training module integrated into courses or conferences
  • Facilitated sessions led by EATRIS and/or FAST to tailor learning objectives to your audience

Want to find out more?

Are you interested in using this game in your community? If so, please get in contact with Rosan (rosanvegter@eatris.eu) so that we can create a tailored learning experience for your group.

Rosan Vegter

Scientific Lead Rare Diseases and Regulatory Advisory
Coordination & support office

Disclaimer

This game has been developed with the support of  Future Affordable Sustainable Therapies (FAST) and EATRIS C&S. Game format and design: A.R. Kreeftmeijer-Vegter © 2025