Cell Therapy Catapult & the UK Stem Cell Foundation Agree to Collaborate
Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.
The Cell Therapy Catapult (CT Catapult), which is focused on the development of the UK cell therapy industry to increase the nation's health and wealth, and the UK Stem Cell Foundation, a charity focused on the advancement of stem cell treatments towards the clinic, are pleased to announce that they will be working together to progress promising stem cell-based therapies in the UK. The two organisations, which have entered into a memorandum of understanding to cover their co-operation, are both focused on translational activities, moving potential therapeutic approaches on from early-stage research to the later stages of development.
The CT Catapult and the charity aim to build a pipeline of projects that meet their criteria for support and funding on the route to commercialisation. Since 2005 the UKSCF has supported projects in a range of indications from spinal cord repair, ophthalmic, liver and cardiac disease, and tendon repair. Building on the UK's early stage research base, the CT Catapult is working on building a similarly broad pipeline. The two organisations will meet regularly to discuss projects and potential support packages, including other partners, contributing to the growth of the UK's emerging cell therapy industry.
Keith Thompson, CEO of the Cell Therapy Catapult, said, 'With the philanthropic sector an increasingly important source of life sciences research funding globally, we are very pleased to be working with the UK Stem Cell Foundation on the development of much needed therapies. The charity is a major UK funder in this area, and exemplifies the kind of high quality organisation the Cell Therapy Catapult expects to collaborate with as it works to build a thriving UK cell therapy industry.'
UKSCF’s CEO Lil Shortland said, 'It is clear that some of the projects we support fit within the remit of the Catapult and would benefit from the specialist support that it can provide. It is vital that there is a joined up approach between public, private and third sector organisations supporting the development of regenerative medicine products in the UK. Each sector has a role to play in realising the potential of stem cells to deliver not just health benefits but economic benefits for the UK and beyond.'
