Rentschler Invests in UK Cell and Gene Therapy Site
German CDMO Rentschler Biopharma is to establish manufacturing capacity for advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), including Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for clinical trials, at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT) site in Stevenage, UK.
Over the next five years, Rentschler will invest a “significant” sum, which is expected to play a major part in meeting demand for suitable manufacturing capabilities from both UK and international researchers.
"We are excited to take this next big step in our evolution and address the growing industry demand for ATMP manufacturing capacity and viral vector supply. With the largest industry cluster for cell and gene therapies outside the US, the UK is an ideal location for us to establish our Center of Excellence for cell and gene therapy,” said Rentschler Biopharma’s CEO Frank Mathias.
The CDMO said it will leverage CGT Catapult’s expertise in ATMP manufacturing setup and technology development, as well as the cell and gene therapy cluster and ecosystem that has developed around Stevenage and across the UK.
CGT Catapult is an independent center of excellence established to advance the growth of the UK cell and gene therapy industry by bridging the gap between scientific research and full-scale commercialization. The center has received more than £75 million of funding from the UK government and the European Regional Development Fund.
According to Rentschler and CGT Catapult, 27% of European ATMP companies are currently operating in the UK, and there are more than 90 advanced therapy developers. They added that the past year has seen a 50% rise in the number of ATMP clinical trials being run in the UK, accounting for 12% of such trials worldwide, with these numbers predicted to increase further.
Author: Ellaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
