Spliceor Receives Investment From the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult as Part of the Cross-Catapult Investment Pilot
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In the first investment from the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) as part of the Cross-Catapult Investment Pilot, Spliceor has received funding to accelerate the pre-clinical development of its trans-splicing gene therapy platform for liver cancer.
With support from Innovate UK, the investment pilot allows organisations in the Catapult Network to make seed investments into promising organisations within their respective industry. By enabling investment in early-stage companies, the pilot will help the CGT Catapult work with industry to ensure there is a strong pipeline of novel therapies being developed, for a wide spectrum of diseases, and with ever increasing clinical efficacy.
The investment in Spliceor, a spinout from the University of Cambridge, will support buildout of its team and the pre-clinical development and validation of its trans-splicing gene therapy platform to treat cancer and other indications. The technology is first being used to target liver cancer, which currently has a 13.4% five-year survival rate, * with around 6,500 people a year diagnosed in the UK. ** Spliceor’s new targeted gene therapy has potential to provide a significant impact on this cancer.
A specialist investment committee, set up by the CGT Catapult and consisting of experts in a diverse set of areas including advanced therapies and venture capital, will assess future investment opportunities that support the growth of the advanced therapies sector in the UK.
Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive of the CGT Catapult, said: “Spliceor is an innovative advanced therapies company with the potential to develop a life-changing gene therapy to benefit patients. By working with Innovate UK to invest in promising companies, like Spliceor, that have strong technologies and clear applications, we hope to accelerate their growth, boost the advanced therapies ecosystem in the UK, and ultimately lead to more therapies entering clinical trials and commercial use.”
Dr Tim Landy, CEO, Spliceor, said: “We are grateful to receive this significant investment, which recognises Spliceor’s potential to transform lives through innovative gene therapies. This funding will accelerate our research and development, enabling us to build on our goal of delivering more specific and effective gene therapies, advancing our assets toward clinical trials and ultimately delivering life-changing treatments to patients.”
