Growth in UK cell and gene therapy manufacturing capacity and employment continues

Growth in UK cell and gene therapy manufacturing capacity and employment continues

New data around manufacturing space, skills and employment shows a continuation of the expansion seen in 2021

UK manufacturing space has increased by 14%, driven in part by strong growth in Scotland and the North of England

2022 report indicates growing importance of the ATMP manufacturing sector to both local and national economies

London, 16^th November 2022 – The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) today published its ninth annual UK cell and gene therapy Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing report, showing continued growth in the Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) UK manufacturing sector. This growth is across industry and academia, showing how the sector is responding to the operationalisation and skills requirements needed to ensure increased and more rapid access to Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP for both healthcare systems and patients.

Overall, UK manufacturing space has increased by 14%, in part driven by exceptional growth in Scotland and the North of England. There are now 29 facilities that form the overall capacity and capability for cell and gene therapy manufacturing within the UK with five new establishments included in this year’s report (Symbiosis Pharmaceuticals, Adaptimmune, Charles River Labs (formerly Cobra Biologics), Advent Bioservices and Replimune) who all hold Manufacturing and Import Authorisation for Investigational Medicinal Products MIA (IMP)s

The 2022 GMP Manufacturing report shows that average utilisation of manufacturing capacity nationally is 67%, while regionally, London and the South-East have shown the most growth in utilisation (now at 91% and 93% respectively), whilst the North-East and East are well-positioned for future expansion, having the most available capacity to meet the growing manufacturing needs of the sector (utilisation currently at 30% and 48%, respectively). Overall, the number of ATMP assets being manufactured in the UK has again increased, up by31% this year, and there are currently 50 therapies being produced in the UK, the majority for early-stage clinical trials (59%).

Perhaps the most striking indicator of how the manufacturing sector is responding to its continued rapid growth is in the increased number of new recruits that have been attracted into the industry.  The number of employees who have joined cell-therapy, gene-therapy and multi-functional facilities in 2022 has risen by 23% overall, with increases in full time-time employees of 22% and part-time employees of 68%.

The number of new apprentices has increased by 46%, largely due to the Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community (ATAC), coordinated by the CGT Catapult, whose purpose is to create a ready supply of skilled talent ranging from manufacturing operatives to technical experts and researchers. CGT Catapult is also working with industry to develop a series of bespoke apprenticeship standards and continuing professional development programmes that train and upskill individuals to develop, manufacture and deliver advanced therapies at scale.

Matthew Durdy, CEO of CGT Catapult, said:

“We continue to see acceleration and expansion across the ATMP manufacturing ecosystem, meaning that more cell and gene therapies are becoming closer to being commercialised, as well as a rising importance of cell and gene therapy manufacturing to local and national economies The significant expansion in manufacturing capacity is mirrored by the remarkable growth of the skilled workforce, driven by The Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community, which is designed to train and upskill individuals for this sector. The continuing positive development in these two areas will help to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of ATMP manufacture globally.”

A copy of the report “Cell and gene therapy GMP manufacturing in the UK: capability and capacity analysis 2022” can be downloaded at ct.catapult.org.uk/manufacturing-surveys