Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and Deep Science Ventures Enter Exciting Collaboration

The CGT Catapult is based in Stevenage in Hertfordshire, and was set up as an independent centre of excellence to advance the growth of the UK cell and gene therapy industry- by bridging the gap between scientific research and commercialisation. It works with partners in academia and industry to ensure life-changing therapies are developed for worldwide use. It offers leading-edge capability, technology and innovation to enable companies to take products into clinical trials and provide clinical, process development, manufacturing, regulatory, health economics and market access expertise. It has become established as the leading centre for cell and gene therapies outside of the US.

Deep Science Ventures (DSV) is a London-based venture creator and is looking to a future in which both humans and the planet thrive, combining available scientific knowledge and founder-type scientists into high-impact ventures.

Together, they are launching a partnership to generate innovative approaches to address barriers in the ATMP industry, create new companies and deliver better patient outcomes.

Advances in cell and gene therapies provide potential cures to previously severe diseases, but major barriers must be overcome, such as having target specificity and effective manufacturing at scale. The collaboration looks to build on DSV's novel outcome-focused approach to venture creation, combining available scientific knowledge and founder-type scientists into high-impact ventures. The CGT Catapult will apply Deep Science Ventures' approach when using its cell and gene therapy-specific technical, non-clinical and regulatory expertise in the ATMP sector.

Matthew Durdy, CEO of the CGT Catapult, said: "The innovative and collaborative concept used by DSV fits well with the CGT Catapult’s ethos and by addressing challenges within the cell and gene therapy industry, our activities have the potential to provide exceptional outcomes in driving innovation forward and creating opportunities in employment. We very much look forward to initiating our work together and creating new partnerships between scientists and investors."

Exciting Times for Uptake of Innovation

At the 2021 PING Conference, which was held in collaboration with IQVIA, entitled 'UK Life Sciences Opportunities in a Changed World', we heard about academic and industry collaborations from: Dr Malcolm Skingle, GSK Director of Academic Liaison; Professor Chas Bountra, OBE Pro-Vice Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Oxford; and Claire Ward, CEO of the Institute for Collaborative Working. They discussed how collaborations were key to getting the world out of the pandemic, how they had come of age, and how they will continue to be important drivers in finding future solutions.

At the 2020 PING Conference, Matthew Durdy spoke on the fast-growing developments at the CGT Catapult. It is exciting to see them continuing to continue their journey with this new collaboration.

If you would be interested in hearing more about these issues and seeing recordings from the PING Conference or being invited to attend future PING Conferences, please contact Paul Gershlick in our Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences team on 07795 570072, or complete the form below.