CGT Catapult expanding with Scotch facility

Gene and cell therapies offer huge market potential in the future: Markets & Markets project the market growth to US$17.2bn by 2027 from US$7.3 bn, at a CAGR of 18.6% between 2022 and 2027, mostly in oncology and neurology. Europe is well positioned as the Stevenage-based (UK) Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult currently is the third-largest CGT cluster world wide, homing more than four dozens companies. Since the CGT Catapult’s inception in 2012, there has been over £5.5bn of cumulative investment in UK advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) companies. Now, the CGTC announced it will commence an expansion opening a new 350m²-lab and offices in Edinburgh BioQuarter, located in the University of Edinburgh’s Institute of Regeneration and Repair.

The facility is set to enhance Edinburgh’s role as an academic hub for stem cell-based therapies with the aim to attract further international companies to the area. The new laboratories and offices were opened by Michael Matheson, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care. CGT Catapult aims to provide expertise, resources and technology to help cell therapy developers improve their manufacturing processes and navigate the complex regulatory requirements involved in bringing their therapies to market.

The offices are home to a team of technical and clinical adoption experts who will work closely with collaborators to guide them on the journey of bringing cell therapies to clinical trials and the market.
The space also includes a Universal Design Lab. It is the UK’s first specifically designed accessible laboratory for the cell and gene therapy industry. CGT Catapult officials said they hope the new laboratory will help widen participation in the industry.