EUROPEAN LIVER PATIENTS ASSOCIATION

Their core work

ELPA is a Brussels-based patient advocacy organization representing the voice of liver disease patients across Europe. In H2020 research consortia, they bring the patient perspective to clinical research on liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, and related conditions — ensuring that study designs, screening strategies, and treatment approaches reflect real patient needs and outcomes. Their role bridges the gap between clinical researchers and the communities affected by chronic liver disease, contributing to patient engagement, dissemination, and cost-effectiveness considerations in large-scale EU health projects.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ELPA's early H2020 involvement (2017–2019) centered on understanding cirrhosis progression — pharmacological therapies like simvastatin and rifaximin, microbiome-based biomarkers, and multi-omics approaches to predict decompensation. From 2020 onward, their portfolio broadened significantly: they entered hepatitis B cure research (IP-cure-B), population-level screening (LiverScreen), and experimental treatments for alcoholic hepatitis and acute liver failure (A-TANGO). The shift suggests a move from observing disease progression to actively participating in projects that aim for prevention, cure, and earlier intervention.

ELPA is expanding from cirrhosis-focused research toward broader liver disease prevention, hepatitis cure, and population screening — making them increasingly relevant for projects targeting earlier-stage intervention.

How they like to work

ELPA operates exclusively as a consortium participant, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a patient advocacy organization embedded in researcher-led projects. With 80 unique partners across 16 countries from just 6 projects, they sit inside very large consortia (averaging 13+ partners per project). This broad network means they are well-connected across European hepatology research but function as a specialized contributor rather than a project driver.

ELPA has collaborated with 80 unique partners across 16 countries through 6 large-scale RIA consortia, giving them an extensive contact network spanning major European hepatology and gastroenterology research centers. Their Brussels base and pan-European patient representation mandate connect them to clinical sites and research hospitals across the continent.

What sets them apart

ELPA is the go-to European patient organization for liver disease research consortia — no other H2020 participant combines pan-European patient advocacy with deep involvement across the full spectrum of liver conditions (cirrhosis, hepatitis, fibrosis, alcoholic liver disease). For consortium builders, they offer a credible, experienced patient engagement partner that satisfies EU requirements for patient and public involvement. Their consistent participation across multiple high-profile liver projects means they understand the regulatory and ethical landscape of hepatology clinical research from the patient side.

Highlights from their portfolio

• IP-cure-B
  Largest single grant to ELPA (EUR 175,000), focused on the ambitious goal of curing Hepatitis B through immune-based interventions and clinical trials.
• MICROB-PREDICT
  Long-running project (2019–2026) combining microbiome research, nanobiosensors, and multi-omics — representing the most technically advanced consortium ELPA participates in.
• LiverScreen
  Uniquely focused on population-level prevention through screening across European countries, with direct implications for public health policy and cost-effectiveness.