UK's Cell Therapy Catapult plans links with Japanese Prefecture on regenerative medicine

The Cell Therapy Catapult, the UK organization dedicated to the growth of Britain’s cell and gene therapy industry by bridging the gap between scientific research and commercialization, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan.\

The agreement involves a commitment for cooperation in the promotion of the practical application and commercialization of regenerative medicine and cell therapy in both Japan and the UK. The Cell Therapy Catapult, by cooperating with industry, academic institutions and the new Life Innovation Center in Kanagawa Prefecture, is expected to provide partnerships that will enable both Japanese and British firms to internationalize the development of these advanced therapies. The Kanagawa Prefecture has the second largest population after Tokyo and contains considerable innovation in cell therapy and regenerative medicine.

“This memorandum of understanding is the first agreement between the Cell Therapy Catapult and Japan. This will enable us to develop strong linkages that should help UK firms work in Japan through the Kanagawa Prefecture and for Japanese firms and institutions to develop linkages in the UK and Europe,” said Keith Thompson, chief executive of the Cell Therapy Catapult. “In addition, the challenges of an aging population are felt most acutely in Japan. Innovative cell and gene therapies under development in the UK and Japan will play a role in enabling longer, healthier and active lives. We hope that the memorandum of understanding will be a fresh initiative to increase collaboration, mutual understanding and friendship between the UK and the Kanagawa Prefecture,” he added.

“In the Kanagawa Prefecture, we are already promoting a variety of initiatives towards the promotion of regenerative medicine and the cell therapy field. In order to develop this further, we are collaborating with the Cell Therapy Catapult, as it is already at an advanced stage of promoting leading initiatives in this field in the UK,” said Kuroiwa Yuji, Governor of the Kanagawa Prefecture.