What are cell and gene therapies?
Cell and gene therapies are transformative medicines whose full potential is only just beginning to emerge. They involve extracting cells, protein or genetic material (DNA) from the patient (or a donor) and altering them to provide a highly personalised therapy, which is re-introduced to the patient. Cell and gene therapies may offer longer-lasting effects than traditional medicines. They have the potential to address complex diseases, such as motor neurone disease, and many rare disorders for which there are no effective treatments.
BIA has a number of members working in the cell and gene therapy space and we engage with these companies to support the continued growth of the sector and ensure that these treatments can reach patients.
Recent activity in cell and gene therapy
Cell and Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (CGTAC)
The Cell and Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (CGTAC) works to highlight the value of cell and gene therapies to patients and the wider UK economy and to promote the UK’s global role in delivering these transformative treatments and the innovative science behind them. It also engages in specific topics to support the development of the cell and gene therapy sector in the UK, including addressing the skills gap, supporting the translation of research and ensuring sustainable patient access to treatments.
The committee brings together a large proportion of the UK’s regenerative medicine industry, including biotechs, pharma, service providers, law firms and venture funds, as well as key organisations including the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and Innovate UK.
CGTAC Chair and Vice-Chair
Darren Blamire
Darren Blamire is a senior pharmaceutical executive with over two decades of global leadership experience across Autolus, Roche and Abbott.
He has held pivotal roles in shaping strategy, launching breakthrough oncology and rare disease therapies, and leading cross-functional teams across commercial, clinical, and access domains.
As Managing Director at Autolus UK & Ireland, he leads the affiliate in delivering on their next-generation CAR T-cell therapy. Previously at Roche HQ, he led global lifecycle and integrated strategy for lung cancer and tumour-agnostic therapies.
His career spans leadership in Europe, the UK, and the US, as well as country management in East Africa and senior leadership roles in South Africa - delivering access, growth, and impact across diverse healthcare systems.
Diana Hernandez
Dr Diana Hernandez is a stem cell biologist with more than 30 years’ experience in medical research and at least 20 years in the cell therapy field, both in academia (Imperial College and UCL) and industry (Plasticell Ltd).
She leads a research team at Anthony Nolan (AN), a charity established in 1974 as the first bone marrow register in the world. Her research focuses on improving the outcomes of patients undergoing bone marrow transplants by understanding the graft and creating cell therapy products to treat relapse and GvHD.
As Director of Immune and Advanced Therapies in Anthony Nolan, she also has advisory roles in AN’s cell, gene and laboratory services (CT&LS) and in the public and policy teams.
CGTAC members
