New London-based Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre established to improve clinical trial infrastructure

London, UK, Thursday 19th September 2024: The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult), an independent innovation and technology organisation specialising in the advancement of the cell and gene therapy industry, and the Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre (ATTC) network, which works in close partnership with the NHS and industry to address the complex challenges of bringing advanced therapies to patients, has welcomed a new centre, the London Advanced Therapies ATTC. The network will work to accelerate the delivery of cell and gene therapy clinical trials, aiming to help more patients access transformative treatments.

The London Advanced Therapies ATTC is made up of its four partner organisations: Imperial College London, King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London and University College London (UCL), and their NHS Trusts. It will build on the reputation of these world-leading institutions, and of London as a whole, as a global hub for advanced therapies research and commercial clinical trials.

The focus of the centre will be working with the healthcare providers connected to its partner organisations to improve the infrastructure for advanced therapy clinical trials. This aims to increase the number and speed of trials as well as help more patients take part in these trials and access potentially life-changing cell and gene therapies.

With expertise and knowledge of advanced therapy development and trials, the London centre will enhance the ATTC network’s offering across the country. The new centre joins the three existing ATTCs: Innovate Manchester Advanced Therapy Centre Hub; Midlands-Wales ATTC; and the Northern Alliance ATTC.

The ATTC network is coordinated by the CGT Catapult and receives funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Innovate UK.

New London-based Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre established to improve clinical trial infrastructure

With more advanced therapies in development and coming to clinical trials, there is a need to ensure that healthcare systems are supported to deliver these therapies on a larger scale. The work of the ATTC network is crucial in helping healthcare providers adapt to these therapies and enhance their clinical trial infrastructure. The new London Advanced Therapies ATTC, backed by world-leading academic and healthcare institutions, will increase the support the ATTC network provides across the UK and help more patients access the advanced therapies they need. The ATTC network and the support that the UK gives to the development of advanced therapies stand out globally. The addition of the London centre will make the network and their effect even stronger.

Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult