Stevenage named ‘high potential opportunity’ zone for cell and gene therapy – In Your Area

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We are delighted that Stevenage is being recognised for its significant contribution to the cell and gene therapy field."

Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst campus

Submitted by Charlotte Connors

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has classified Stevenage, Hertfordshire, as a 'High Potential Opportunity' (HPO) zone in recognition of its thriving cell and gene therapy cluster of national and international significance.

The successful HPO nomination was made by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and is expected to help attract further overseas investment into the county.

Stevenage is at the centre of the largest cluster of cell and gene therapy companies outside of the US. The growing cell and gene therapy campus in Stevenage is delivering over 1,000 jobs and is home to over 45 companies, 13 of which are in the cell and gene therapy space.

The campus was awarded Life Science Opportunity Zone status for advanced therapies in 2019 by the Office for Life Sciences.

It is jointly anchored by Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, whose occupiers have raised over 1.6bn of investment to date, of which over 65 per cent has been invested into cell and gene therapy companies; and the pioneering Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, which has built its Manufacturing Centre in Stevenage, and which has been instrumental to the growth of the UKs cell and gene therapy industry.

DITs High Potential Opportunities programme was launched in 2018 to encourage and accelerate foreign direct investment into the UKs key growth sectors, in line with Governments Industrial Strategy.

There are currently 17 HPOs throughout the UK, and an additional 19 HPOs will be developed over the course of Round 2.

Sally Ann Forsyth, chief executive officer at Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst said:

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Stevenage named 'high potential opportunity' zone for cell and gene therapy - In Your Area