CGT Catapult

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) operates as a pivotal, non-profit innovation and technology organization established in 2012 to bolster the UK's cell and gene therapy industry. It was co-founded by a team that included Keith Thompson, the founding CEO, and Matthew Durdy, who later became CEO in April 2020. Durdy's background combines a degree in Pure and Applied Biology from Oxford with an MBA from the University of Chicago, complemented by experience in investment banking, venture capital, and managing biotechnology SMEs. This blend of scientific knowledge and business acumen reflects the organization's core mission.

CGT Catapult's primary function is to bridge the gap between early-stage scientific research and commercially viable, investable therapies. The organization collaborates with academia, industry partners, and healthcare providers to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and clinical adoption of advanced therapies. Clients range from academic researchers and biotech startups, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to large multinational pharmaceutical companies. The business model is multifaceted, generating revenue through industrial income from fee-for-service work, collaborative research and development grants, and core grant funding from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation. For the year ending March 31, 2024, total income was £62.1 million.

The organization offers access to state-of-the-art facilities and a team of over 400 experts. Key services include process development to make manufacturing scalable and cost-effective, clinical trial support, and regulatory guidance to navigate national and international requirements. A significant asset is the £55 million GMP-certified manufacturing centre in Stevenage, which opened in 2017, allowing companies to produce therapies at a scale required for clinical trials and commercial launch. Further expansion includes a Manufacturing Innovation Centre in Braintree, established with government funding to enhance the UK's pandemic response capabilities and advance manufacturing technologies. CGT Catapult also provides health economics and market access expertise to help developers demonstrate value to healthcare systems and reimbursement bodies. Additionally, it runs national programs like the Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community (ATAC) to develop a skilled workforce for the sector.

Keywords: cell and gene therapy, advanced therapies, technology innovation, manufacturing, clinical adoption, life sciences, process development, regulatory support, healthcare economics, workforce development