London, United Kingdom, 30 September 2026: The UK has an opportunity to translate its research strength in advanced therapies into company growth and investment, according to the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult's (CGT Catapult) 2026 Annual Review.
The review finds the sector at a turning point, with conditions increasingly in place to convert the UK's research strength into commercial growth. It sets out how CGT Catapult, an independent innovation and technology organisation specialising in the growth of companies in the cell and gene therapy industry, is helping high potential companies overcome barriers to commercialisation, scale their operations and stay in the UK.
In the last financial year, the CGT Catapult worked with 81 companies on advanced therapy innovation, 70% of which are UK-based small and medium-sized enterprises. The companies it worked with raised £199m in financing during the year, and 13 of its collaborators were conducting clinical trials in the UK, up from nine the previous year.
The review also highlights the UK's wider strengths in advanced therapies. As of March 2026, 17 therapies had been approved and reimbursed for use in the UK, and the country continues to host a significant share of global advanced therapy clinical trial activity, with representation in 9% of ongoing trials worldwide. The environment continues to strengthen, with the Life Sciences Sector Plan setting a clear ambition and regulatory reform advancing, including the MHRA's work on a new framework for rare diseases.
The review also points to new evidence on the value of these therapies. An evaluation model developed by CGT Catapult with the Office of Health Economics (OHE), which aligns with HM Treasury evaluation methods, assessed the projected value of treating four conditions with cell or gene therapies. It found economic benefits that could extend well beyond individual patients and the healthcare system, including through increased workforce participation and reduced reliance on unpaid care, making the case for accelerating the adoption of therapies that modify or cure disease rather than manage it over the long term.
This year, for the first time, we can put a clear value on what the widespread adoption of these therapies could mean for the UK, and the opportunity is significant. The research strength has never been in doubt. Our focus now is on converting the conditions we have built into industry growth, helping high potential companies scale and stay in the UK. My thanks to our collaborators across industry, healthcare and Government. By working together, we can build an industry that delivers life-changing therapies to patients here and around the world.
Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult