Operations continue at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

CGT Catapult update on COVID-19 actions

During this time of uncertainty, our focus remains to ensure the safety of individuals, including our staff, collaborators and the public. The manufacturing centre is operating effectively, with risk-assessed measures in place such as additional distancing and reduced staff, to maintain safe and reliable production of therapies and clinical-grade material. Maintaining clinical supply is a key priority for the company and our manufacturing centre collaborators at this time. 

We have also implemented measures across the CGT Catapult sites to limit contact and delay the spread of the virus, in line with government advice. This has impacted the progress of laboratory elements of some collaborator and client projects, which has been communicated accordingly, and these will be prioritised when normal activities are resumed.

We have plans and teams in place to respond to this rapidly evolving situation, and rest assured that our commitment remains to assist the government, our stakeholders and the country in combatting the threat of COVID-19 and accelerating the return to normal operations. If you have any queries please contact us.

Keith Thompson retired from CGT Catapult

Long planned and announced before the COVID-19 pandemic, Keith Thompson has now officially retired as Chief Executive Officer of CGT Catapult, 8 years after founding the company. Keith has overseen the growth of the company into a pivotal part of the UK and global ecosystem, and in doing so helped to shape the past, present and future of the advanced therapies industry. 

“I would like to thank all of my colleagues, collaborators past and present, and partners in Government, industry and academia, for helping to grow this fantastic company and world-renowned industry. When I started CGT Catapult in 2012, we set out a bold vision where firms could start and confidently grow to bring these life-changing medicines to patients, so to see that achieved within 8 years is tremendously satisfying. I am confident that this impact will continue, the industry will grow and these transformative cell and gene therapies will become a mainstay of modern medicine for the benefit of patients around the world. I’ve worked closely with Matthew Durdy throughout this period and he is an excellent successor, I wish him every success especially as he navigates CGT Catapult through the Covid crisis.”  

Matthew Durdy has succeeded Keith as of 1 April 2020 as the new Chief Executive Officer of CGT Catapult, and you can find out more about Matthew here. The CGT Catapult Board and staff would like to thank Keith for all he has done and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours. 

Supporting UK government’s COVID-19 response

There is a monumental effort from everyone across the country, including the government, NHS and the life sciences sector, to limit the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide best support and care. CGT Catapult are committed to supporting this effort. We are currently involved in a government initiative to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) to support the NHS and frontline healthcare workers across the country, and we remain ready and in regular discussions to assist however else we can.

The UK government has urgently appealed to the life sciences sector for support, and details of these requests have been included below.