UK sees 70% increase in phase I advanced therapy clinical trials in 2024

Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult reveals significant growth in UK trials

The UK experienced a notable increase in advanced therapy clinical trials in 2024, reaching 187 ongoing trials. This marks a 7% rise from the previous year.

Particularly, phase I trials saw an approximate 70% increase, growing from 24 to 41.

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) presented the data in its UK 2024 Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Clinical Trials Database.

The UK maintained its position as a highly attractive destination for clinical trials, representing 9.5% of all global trials and almost 50% of European trials in 2024.

Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive of the CGT Catapult, commented: “Advanced therapy clinical trials are important in two regards.”

He added: “They provide a clear indication of the attractiveness of the UK for advanced therapy product development and they create the skills, capabilities and environment that mean that patients can access these life changing drugs more quickly and easily.”

The database also showed that 27 new trials were initiated in 2024, compared to 13 in 2023.

This indicates a growing pipeline of products. Gene therapies continued to dominate the majority of ATMP clinical trials in 2024, similar to the previous year.

Durdy added: “This data shows the UK’s continued strength on both counts.”