CGT Catapult Announces Expansion into Scotland

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) has revealed, in a June 29, 2021 press release, that it will establish offices and laboratories in Edinburgh, Scotland, with the aim of maximizing scientific and industrial collaboration in cell and gene therapies across the United Kingdom.

This expansion, which has been achieved through a collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, will provide additional, regionally-focused support to the cell and gene therapy sector so that product development, clinical trials, and adoption of the advanced therapies can be accelerated. CGT Catapult Edinburgh will be located at the Institute for Regeneration and Repair in the Edinburgh BioQuarter and will be led by Jacqueline Barry, chief clinical officer at CGT Catapult.

“We are excited to be expanding the CGT Catapult’s presence in Scotland through today’s agreement with the University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh has developed an excellent academic base and the Institute for Regeneration and Repair is projected to have the largest accumulation of stem cell scientists in Europe, with nearly 500 currently located there,” said Matthew Durdy, CEO, CGT Catapult, in the press release. “We look forward to building on this local expertise and growing the existing infrastructure to create a cluster for the cell and gene therapy industry in Scotland and the North of England. This will help bring these potentially life changing therapies to patients and help create economic opportunity in region.”

“This is excellent news for the University of Edinburgh. We have made considerable progress towards translation of cell and gene therapies into the clinic and the expansion of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult provides a great opportunity to boost these endeavours,” added Stuart Forbes, director, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, in the press release.

“We look forward to welcoming the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult as members of the Edinburgh BioQuarter community. It is another feather in the cap for our expanding expertise in advanced therapies, one of the key health innovation pillars of our growing ecosystem,” commented Anna Stamp, interim program director, Edinburgh BioQuarter, in the press release. “BioQuarter, as a leading innovation location, is the perfect place for CGT Catapult Edinburgh to work with researchers and health innovation businesses to translate, test and nurture new ideas at scale, at pace and on time.”

Source: CGT Catapult