Building international bridges to accelerate development of stem cell technologies
UK-based Cell Therapy Catapult signs memorandum of understanding with Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, to together promote the practical application and commercialization of regenerative medicine and cell therapies
The Cell Therapy Catapult, a UK organization dedicated to the growth of the UK cell and gene therapy industry that aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and commercialization, has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan. The agreement was signed between Kuroiwa Yuji, Governor of the Kanagawa Prefecture, and Keith Thompson, CEO of the Cell Therapy Catapult.
The agreement commits both parties to cooperation in the promotion of the practical application and commercialization of regenerative medicine and cell therapy in both Japan and the UK. By working with industry, academic institutions and the new life Innovation Center in Kanagawa Prefecture, the Cell Therapy Catapult is expected to provide partnerships that will enable Japanese and British companies to internationalize the development of these advanced therapies. The Kanagawa Prefecture is known for innovation in cell therapy and regenerative medicine, having the second largest population in Japan, after Tokyo.
“This memorandum of understanding is the first agreement between the Cell Therapy Catapult and Japan. This will enable us to develop strong linkages that should help UK firms work in Japan through the Kanagawa Prefecture and for Japanese firms and institutions to develop linkages in the UK and Europe,” explained Thompson. “In addition, the challenges of an aging population are felt most acutely in Japan. Innovative cell and gene therapies under development in the UK and Japan will play a role in enabling longer, healthier and active lives. We hope that the memorandum of understanding will be a fresh initiative to increase collaboration, mutual understanding and friendship between the UK and the Kanagawa Prefecture.”
“In the Kanagawa Prefecture, we are already promoting a variety of initiatives towards the promotion of regenerative medicine and the cell therapy field. In order to develop this further, we are collaborating with the Cell Therapy Catapult, as it is already at an advanced stage of promoting leading initiatives in this field in the UK,” added Yuji. “It is the first time that the Cell Therapy Catapult has entered into the memorandum of understanding with an administrative institution in Japan. The promotion of Japanese/UK collaboration regarding the regenerative medicine and cell therapy industries is a high priority in Japan. We have a great expectation that the signing of this memorandum of understanding will achieve the acceleration of the industrialization of this sector in the future.”
— Written by Hannah Wilson