Cell Therapy Catapult Report Shows Rise in Active Trials with Therapies Progressing Towards Commercialisation
UK cell therapy Clinical and Pre-Clinical Trials Databases published
London, UK, 29 June 2015— The Cell Therapy Catapult has published its annual analysis of the UK preclinical and clinical research landscapes with the release of its UK Clinical and Pre-Clinical Trials Databases. These show a 24% rise in the number of clinical trials and an increase of 22% in the number of pre-clinical projects. Sector growth came in the key areas of oncology, neurology, ophthalmology and cardiovascular.
The UK Clinical Trials Database covers cell therapy clinical trial activity that the Cell Therapy Catapult believes to be ongoing in the UK as of April 2015. It has been compiled and verified by the Cell Therapy Catapult team, and includes:
- academic and commercial trials approved for inclusion by the sponsor
- ongoing trials in the UK, regardless of the nationality of the sponsor
- all trials involving cells as therapeutic agents*
The database is of use to academics, researchers and commercial organisations operating in the field of cell therapy by allowing them to understand the extent of activity in the UK. The database is used by the Cell Therapy Catapult to identify potential programmes for investment or partnership, and provides a highly relevant measure of progress in the field.
The Cell Therapy Catapult’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Natalie Mount, said: “This report clearly demonstrates that the environment in the UK is healthy for clinical and pre-clinical studies. Our research shows that there has been an increase in the number of commercial sponsors conducting clinical trials in the UK but the majority of projects are led by academic institutions and the sector still finds funding a challenge. While it is too early draw a definitive conclusion, we see progression of projects and expect the analyses of future years to show an industry undergoing significant growth and moving towards maturation, particularly making use of new adaptive regulatory pathways.”
The report shows that the majority of all work, 74% of clinical trials and 93% of preclinical, is still undertaken in the academic sector.
The databases can be viewed by clicking the links below:
The databases can also be accessed on the Cell Therapy Catapult website: ct.catapult.org.uk.
* excluding trials of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation regimens.
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Cell Therapy Catapult
Notes to Editors
About the Cell Therapy Catapult
The Cell Therapy Catapult was established in 2012 as an independent centre of excellence to advance the growth of the UK cell and gene therapy industry, by bridging the gap between scientific research and full-scale commercialisation. With more than 100 employees focusing on cell and gene therapy technologies, we work with our partners in academia and industry to ensure these life-changing therapies can be developed for use in health services throughout the world. We offer leading-edge capability, technology and innovation to enable companies to take products into clinical trials and provide clinical, process development, manufacturing, regulatory, health economics and market access expertise. We aim to make the UK the most compelling and logical choice for UK and international partners to develop and commercialise these advanced therapies. Regenerative medicine is one of the UK government’s eight great technologies that support UK science strengths and business capabilities. The Cell Therapy Catapult is part-funded by Innovate UK, formerly the Technology Strategy Board — the UK’s innovation agency. For more information go to ct.catapult.org.uk or visit www.gov.uk/innovate-uk