Cell & gene therapy
London is the centre of the UK’s world-leading cell and gene therapy sector, delivering groundbreaking innovations in cell type and editing technology to bring efficacious advanced therapies to earlier lines of treatment, for more patients across novel indications.
1st in Europe
for cell and gene therapy companies, with 68 companies operating in the city
$1.3bn
capital investment raised in five years
143
cell therapies and
91
gene therapies in development
The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult
supports companies, researchers and innovators accelerate their cell and gene therapy to market
Success stories:
Autolus Therapeutics
Founded in July 2014 from UCL, Autolus applies extensive programming capabilities to develop advanced autologous T-cell therapies that have the potential to deliver life-changing benefits to cancer patients and is building a fully integrated, next-generation CAR-T company.
Autolus now employs 500 staff, with a valuation of £1.3bn.
Success stories:
Orchard Therapeutics
Founded January 2015 from UCL, Orchard Therapeutics is a gene therapy company who reprogramme patient HSCs with a working copy of the defective gene ex vivo, and re-administer the cells to the patient to correct the underlying cause of disease in a single treatment.
Orchard employs 203 staff, has a $313m valuation, and secured $308m funding up to its acquisition by Takeda.
Success stories:
LIfT BioSciences
Founded in 2016, LIfT BioSciences produces Immunomodulatory Alpha Neutrophils with a dual mode of action to directly kill tumours, and recruit and direct other immune cells towards tumour killing. LIfT is the only biotech company in the world with a Neutrophil Based Cell Therapy Platform.
LIfT has a $13m valuation with $3.8m seed funding.
Programmes & initiatives
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult is an independent innovation and technology organisation who collaborate with academia, industry and healthcare providers to develop new technology and drive innovation. Learn more
- For other relevant support programmes and funding see Support.
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