08 Dec Advanced Therapies Intergrates 2023
A crisp and frosty November morning at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst was the scene for the 2023 Advanced Therapies Integrates, a conference bringing together stakeholders from across the sector to discuss the development, launch and adoption of advanced therapies in the UK.
A key theme that emerged throughout the day was the importance of a supportive and well fuelled ecosystem. To support investment. To support R&D. To support translation. To support adoption. To support delivery. And most importantly – to support patient access.
The day began with an introduction to the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst which is a great micro-level example of how a supportive ecosystem can enable a thriving life sciences community. The network of support services readily available has enabled start-ups located at the Catalyst to have a much higher survival rate than the national average – 28% higher in fact. Additionally, companies based there take on average nine months fewer than the national average to develop their products.
Whilst the Catalyst provides a shining example of what can be achieved on a local level when a supportive ecosystem is in place, most of the discussions throughout the day focussed on the national picture. There was clear consensus that the UK has the opportunity to be a world leader in advanced therapies, but action is needed to ensure the policy landscape helps rather than hinders their development and adoption. Much like the Catalyst has provided a supportive ecosystem on a local level, government policy on a national level must provide a clear signal to industry that the UK wants to fuel its potential as an advanced therapies superpower.
Getting this right is a matter of saving and improving lives. The conference was lucky enough to hear the perspectives from a mother whose young child had received an advanced therapy treatment for cancer. Compared to previous treatments that the child had undergone, the advanced therapy provided a transformational improvement to their health, their quality of life and their future outlook.
Advanced therapies represent a step change in the way in which we treat disease, and with the scale of advanced therapies in the pipeline it is vital that the way in which these medicines are assessed and delivered keeps pace with the innovative science. If it doesn’t, patients in the UK will miss out on access to potentially life changing treatments.
Several challenges were discussed throughout the day, ranging from the way in which clinical trials are run through to reimbursement mechanisms and delivery infrastructure. Whilst solutions to individual challenges were discussed, there is a clear need for a coordinated and joined up approach to bring solutions across the entire pathway. From medicine development through to delivery and data collection, the UK must take action to ensure it remains an internationally a competitive place to launch new medicines and that they can reach patients without delays.
Ollie George, Senior Account Manager