The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) last week published the ‘National Cell and Gene Therapy Vision for the UK’, a document outlining recommendations for a national vision for the adoption of cell and gene therapies to ensure the UK maintains its global advantage.
At its fourth annual clinical adoption day, the CGT Catapult brought together experts from the NHS, industry and government organisations to highlight the supportive ecosystem in the UK for the development and adoption of UK Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) and priorities for a sustainable future of the industry.
The number of cell and gene therapies coming to market is expected to rise significantly in the coming years, potentially transforming the way the NHS manages certain diseases. However, this brings with it a range of challenges which must be addressed to ensure the NHS continues at the forefront of providing these cutting-edge treatments to patients.
The document published last week provides an overview of the provision of cell and gene therapies in the UK to date and makes recommendations based on insights from the CGT Catapult’s Industry Advisory Group on how the UK can use its experience of delivering ATMPs to inform future best practice.
“The UK Cell and Gene Catapult has played a key role in developing UK leadership in advanced therapies. It is no coincidence that 9% of all Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products clinical trials are run in the UK, and that the UK has the third largest cluster for cell and gene therapies in the world.
“This National Cell and Gene Therapy Vision supports our ambition to cement the UK’s position as a world leader in advanced clinical research and development, while helping to accelerate access both for patients to new therapies and researchers to patients.”
George Freeman MP, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation
The combined recommendations span across all areas of advanced therapies including the development of a UK advanced therapy manufacturing sector; enhancing the knowledge and skills of the workforce to prepare for future therapies; expanding treatment centre capacity through both new and existing centres; effective horizon scanning to prepare the NHS and industry for novel therapies; and attracting further global commercial investment in clinical research.
Importantly, the document suggests how the NHS can develop its data infrastructure to inform continued improvements to clinical practice and strengthen the real-world evidence base of these potentially life-saving treatments, ensuring they continue to make a difference to patients’ lives.
Photo Credit: Natasha de Vere & Col Ford