A recent study released by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult indicates the continued strong growth of advanced therapy medicinal products in the U.K., backed by increased investment from commercial sponsors.
According to the study, 85 clinical trials and 875 preclinical research projects are currently ongoing in the cell or gene therapies arena, which is a 37% and 20% year-on-year gain, respectively. The study affirms the U.K. as a growing hub for the development and manufacturing of such therapies, the group said.
The organization points to two key developments last year: the opening of CGT Catapult’s cell and gene therapy manufacturing center in Stevenage; and the formation of a network of Advanced Therapies Treatment Centres that are designed to bolster the benefits and innovation for patients within the National Health System.
“We are building the world’s most complete advanced therapies ecosystem,” Keith Thompson, CGT Catapult’s chief executive, said in a statement. “As the number of clinical trials has accelerated, the U.K. has made a determined effort to scale up its research and manufacturing infrastructure to ensure this rich pipeline can continue to advance and grow.”
The government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund has invested more than $89.3 million (£70 million) in the plan.
The number of cell and gene clinical trials in the U.K. that use gene modified therapies has grown from 47% in 2017 to 73%. Many of those trials have moved on to phase 3, the organization said.