Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult enters into partnership with Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine

Written by Freya Leask

The partnership aims to accelerate cooperation between UK and Japan cell and gene therapy areas.

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult, UK) has announced the signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (FIRM, Japan) demonstrating the shared ambitions of the CGT Catapult and FIRM. Through the MoU, CGT Catapult and FIRM will explore the possibility of a cooperative relationship to raise the international reach of the respective organisations.

Through this collaboration, FIRM and the CGT Catapult aim to advance their individual and common missions by connecting major industry players in Japan and the UK and sharing information regarding regenerative medicine technologies, policies, and legal issues. FIRM works closely with the Japanese government and academia, and is made up of more than 230 Japanese companies. Through policy, commercialisation and network support, FIRM promotes the practical use of technological innovation to develop and deliver regenerative medicine.

“We are pleased to announce this memorandum of understanding. The agreement with FIRM will enable us to boost the reach and profile of the CGT Catapult in Japan and ultimately develop stronger links between industry in both countries,” said Keith Thompson, CEO, CGT Catapult. 

“The partnership between the CGT Catapult and FIRM will clearly promote the collaboration of industries between the UK and Japan, and accelerate the development of regenerative and cellular medicine products not only in both countries but worldwide,” said Yuzo Toda, Chairman of FIRM.

Keith continued, “This marks yet another relationship with an important major international institution in the cell and gene therapy space, indicating that the CGT Catapult is continuing towards its goal of becoming a global hub of expertise in this burgeoning area of Life Sciences.”

Source: CGT Catapult press release