Bringing SMEs together with investors to secure funding for the UK industry

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult along with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, Eversheds Sutherland, Mathys & Squire and Stifel are bringing together the investor community with ATMP companies in order to support companies in attracting investment.

Representatives from 12 companies and several investors met today at the first UK Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) investor day. Building on the success of a number of UK companies that have recently been formed through successfully financed spinouts from the research base, this event aims to increase the visibility of ATMP companies, their technologies, and improve investors understanding of the cell and gene therapy industry.

CGT Catapult works with industry to accelerate and de-risk technologies but also engages broadly with the investment community, both VC and institutions, to increase the visibility of the UK research base to industry and investors and improve investors’ perceptions of the industry.

Attendees at the event included SMEs, VC investors, IP, legal and investment banks and the event offered numerous opportunities for networking. Attendees were also joined by representatives from larger companies who shared their experiences through presentations and fireside chats on topics such as manufacturing and preparing for IPO.

Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult CEO Keith Thompson opened the event in central London

Events such as the UK ATMP investor day increase investors understanding of cell and gene therapies as well as allowing companies to present their technology-driven products, services and processes. It is hoped that activities such as these will provide confidence to investors and make it easier for companies in the industry to attract investment.

There are currently over 70 cell and gene therapy companies operating in the UK and there is a health research pipeline of 85 clinical trials and 875 preclinical research projects. By supporting these SMEs CGT Catapult is helping deliver on the UK Industrial Strategy goal of translating research excellence into commercially successful businesses and a thriving UK industry.