State-of-the-art manufacturing innovation facility on track to open December 2021, with capacity to produce millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccinesLong-term investment will help develop new, innovative technologies to bolster the UK’s cell and gene therapy industry
The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) is proud to celebrate the one-year anniversary since receiving funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to set up its world-class vaccine and cell and gene therapy manufacturing innovation facility in Braintree, Essex. CGT Catapult Braintree is part of the UK Government’s portfolio response to the current COVID-19 pandemic and will become a world-class manufacturing innovation facility, securing the UK’s capability in handling future pandemics and enabling the development and production of potentially life changing cell and gene therapies for patients around the world.
The UK Government-appointed Vaccine Taskforce selected the CGT Catapult to establish CGT Catapult Braintree, reflecting its experience in setting up facilities for the industrial-scale manufacture of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) materials and remit to work across the industry to move the industry forward. The CGT Catapult will continue to work with partners to develop new, cutting-edge technology for the production of vaccines and cell and gene therapies at a global industrial scale. This will bolster the UK’s burgeoning cell and gene therapy industry, as part of the UK’s innovation strategy in advanced medicines.
The anniversary marks an important milestone for the CGT Catapult and the various partners and stakeholders it is working with to bring this facility online. In the past year, the CGT Catapult has upskilled a number of its employees into new, innovative roles and increased its workforce in Braintree by 100%. This highlights the tremendous, positive impact the CGT Catapult has had on the UK’s bio manufacturing ecosystem and its world leading position in this industry
Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive Officer at Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult commented:
We are proud of how far we have come in the year since we established CGT Catapult Braintree with the support from BEIS and the UK Government Vaccines Taskforce.
As part of the Government’s response to the devastating COVID-19 pandemic we have an essential role to play in helping the UK secure its future against further potential pandemics. We have worked tirelessly to convert this site into a world-class vaccine and cell and gene therapy manufacturing innovation facility.
The investment and the great team at this manufacturing innovation facility will build a legacy that will support the thriving and growing UK cell and gene therapy industry for decades to come.