Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and Deep Science Ventures collaborate to create a novel approach to overcoming barriers and boost innovation in the advanced therapy industry
Published on 11th November 2021 by Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult
This new collaboration will deliver a powerful and innovative approach, to overcome barriers and form new companies that address current needs within the pioneering area of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).
The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult), an independent innovation and technology organisation with the aim to create powerful collaborations which overcome challenges to the advancement of the ATMP sector, and Deep Science Ventures, a London-based venture creator, are together launching a partnership to generate innovative approaches to address barriers in the ATMP industry, create new companies and deliver better patient outcomes.
Recent advances in cell and gene therapies promise potential cures to some of mankind's most devastating diseases. However, major hurdles still need to be overcome, including ensuring target specificity and effective manufacturing at scale. This collaboration will leverage Deep Science Ventures' novel outcome-focused approach to venture creation, which combines available scientific knowledge and founder-type scientists into high-impact ventures. CGT Catapult will provide its cell and gene therapy-specific technical, non-clinical and regulatory expertise to apply DSV's approach to the ATMP sector.
Kerstin Papenfuss, Associate Director Pharma at DSV said: "Joining forces with the CGT Catapult enables us to bring our unique approach to innovation to the cell and gene therapy ecosystem. Bringing together DSV's structured approach to venture creation and the ability to tap into the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult's network of expertise will allow us to create high-impact solutions overcoming some of the barriers holding back the ATMP space."
Matthew Durdy, CEO of CGT Catapult said: "The innovative and collaborative concept used by DSV fits well with the CGT Catapult's ethos and by addressing challenges within the cell and gene therapy industry, our activities have the potential to provide exceptional outcomes in driving innovation forward and creating opportunities in employment. We very much look forward to initiating our work together and creating new partnerships between scientists and investors."
Deep Science Ventures is actively recruiting for a Founding Analyst as part of this partnership, please find more details here.
About Deep Science Ventures
Deep Science Ventures is creating a future in which both humans and the planet thrive, combining available scientific knowledge and founder-type scientists into high-impact ventures. Deep Science Ventures operates across 4 sectors: Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, Energy and Computation, tackling the challenges defining those areas by taking a first-principles approach and partnering with leading institutions.
Over the course of 12 months, CGT Catapult and Deep Science Ventures will work together to identify an area that is ripe for innovation, hire a Founding Analyst to evaluate potential approaches for scientific and commercial viability, build teams around the optimal approaches, and create one or more high-impact ventures. As well as improving patient outcomes, this will ultimately result in further job opportunities and innovation in the sector.
Noah Geeves
Email: Noah@deepscienceventures.com
About the 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.
FTI Consulting for CGT Catapult
Michael Trace +44 (0) 203 319 5674 / michael.trace@fticonsulting.com
George Kendrick +44 (0) 203 727 1411/ george.kendrick@fticonsulting.com