About Cell and gene therapy catapult
Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult: Accelerating the Future of Medicine
Cell and gene therapy are two of the most promising fields in modern medicine. They offer a new way to treat diseases that were once considered incurable, using cutting-edge technologies to repair or replace damaged cells and genes. However, bringing these therapies from the lab to the clinic is a complex process that requires expertise, resources, and collaboration between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies.
This is where Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult comes in. Founded in 2012 as part of the UK government's innovation agency Innovate UK, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult is a non-profit organization that aims to accelerate the development of cell and gene therapies by providing world-class facilities, expertise, networks, and funding opportunities.
The name "Catapult" reflects their mission: to catapult cell and gene therapy from research to reality. They do this by offering four core services:
1. Innovation: Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult works with academic researchers, SMEs (small- to medium-sized enterprises), large pharma companies, investors, regulators, patient groups etc., providing them with access to state-of-the-art labs (including GMP-compliant manufacturing facilities), equipment (such as flow cytometry machines), technical support (such as assay development), training programs (such as Good Manufacturing Practice courses) etc., all designed to help them develop their ideas into viable products.
2. Translation: Once an idea has been developed into a preclinical candidate or clinical trial material for cell or gene therapy product(s), they provide support for translation activities such as analytical method development/optimization/validation; stability studies; formulation development; process optimization/scale-up/transfer; regulatory strategy planning/submission etc.
3. Regulatory Affairs: The regulatory landscape for cell & gene therapies can be complex due to its novelty & complexity which requires expert guidance on how best navigate through it successfully while ensuring compliance with the regulatory requirements. Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult provides regulatory support to help companies navigate the complex regulatory landscape, including advice on clinical trial design, manufacturing processes, quality control, and safety.
4. Investment: Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult also offers funding opportunities for cell and gene therapy projects through its Innovate UK-funded programs such as the Advanced Therapies Treatment Centre (ATTC) network which aims to accelerate patient access to advanced therapies in the UK by building a network of specialist treatment centers that can deliver these therapies at scale.
Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult has already made significant contributions to the field of cell and gene therapy since its inception. For example:
- They have supported over 350 companies with their innovation services.
- They have helped bring several cell & gene therapy products closer to market approval.
- They have established partnerships with leading academic institutions such as University College London (UCL), King's College London (KCL), Imperial College London etc., as well as industry partners such as GSK, AstraZeneca etc., which helps them stay at the forefront of research & development in this field.
- They are involved in several international collaborations aimed at advancing global standards for cell & gene therapy development.
In conclusion, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult is a unique organization that plays a critical role in accelerating the translation of innovative ideas into life-changing therapies. Their expertise, facilities, networks & funding opportunities make them an invaluable partner for anyone working in this exciting field. By supporting their mission we can help bring new hope to patients suffering from diseases that were once considered untreatable.