EventInnovationPartnership À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Biomedical Research Centre Cell and Gene Therapy Event
Cell and gene therapy is at the heart of the UK government’s long term strategy for life sciences, and as we face significant health challenges, it is more important than ever to accelerate efforts in translational medicine. , the , and the hosted an event to promote Cell and Gene therapy innovations.
MedCity is a collaboration between the Mayor of London, Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre, King’s Health Partners, UCL Partners, Cambridge Health Partners and Oxford Academic Health Science Centre with the goal of promoting life sciences investment, entrepreneurship and industry collaborations within the cluster of England’s greater south east region.
The team from the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ (BRC) joined 7 other BRCs from the Golden Triangle of London, Cambridge and Oxford to showcase world-class scientific research and expertise in cell and gene therapy. This event provided an ideal opportunity to highlight the pivotal role BRCs have played in creating an innovative translational environment by highlighting the academic pipeline that feeds clinical delivery and commercial activity.
The event started with presentations reflecting on the MedCity Catalyst and opportunities to undertake clinical trials within the Golden Triangle, an overview of the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Biomedical Research Centres, and the role of Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult in accelerating the commercialisation of research. A panel discussion also explored the potential challenges and opportunities when transitioning from the development of cell and gene therapies to commercialisation.
The main highlight of the day however, was the Biomedical Research Centre exhibition which provided the opportunity for delegates to network and find out about each BRCs capabilities along the therapy development pathway, including cell and gene therapy portfolio, clinical delivery and commercialisation. Our expertise in Cell and Gene Therapies spans development of technology platforms to pre-clinical and clinical studies, with commercialisation via our technology transfer partner, Imperial Innovations. Capitalising on multi-disciplinary collaboration across Imperial’s Faculties of Engineering, Natural Sciences and Medicine, our highly entrepreneurial BRC provides comprehensive support and expertise for the rapid translation of innovative ideas into clinic. Cell and Gene Therapy research from the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Imperial BRC that was highlighted included:
Prof Eric Alton and Prof Uta Griesenbach – Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis
Prof Tassos Karadimitris – iNKT Cells in Stem Cell Transplantation
Dr Sadaf Ghaem Maghami – Immunology and Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer
The À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Imperial BRC stand also promoted the capabilities for supporting commercially sponsored clinical trials within the , and colleagues from Imperial College Corporate Partnerships and facilitated discussions between industry representatives and our academics.
The À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Imperial BRC is a translational experimental medicine research partnership between Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The BRC provides infrastructure and project funding to develop innovative and ‘first-in-human’ approaches to diagnostics, treatments and patient care.