Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult celebrates one-year anniversary since receiving funding to setup its world-class manufacturing innovation facility in Braintree, Essex

Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult celebrates one-year anniversary since receiving funding to setup its world-class manufacturing innovation facility in Braintree, Essex

State-of-the-art manufacturing innovation facility on track to open December 2021, with capacity to produce millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines

Long-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 setup 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.”

About Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult was established 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 350 employees focusing on cell and gene therapy technologies, it works with partners in academia and industry to ensure these life-changing therapies can be developed for use in health services throughout the world. It offers 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. Its aim is to make the UK the most compelling and logical choice for UK and international partners to develop and commercialise these advanced therapies. The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult works with Innovate UK. For more information please visit ct.catapult.org.uk or visit http://www.gov.uk/innovate-uk.