Experts in the fields of advanced cell and gene therapies, immunotherapy and regenerative medicine, from Manchester, Toronto and beyond convened at a virtual meeting recently.

They shared current learnings and explored ideas to develop potential discovery, translational and clinical projects across their sites.

The event organised by Professor Fiona Thistlethwaite (The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester) and Dr Marcus Butler (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto), was sponsored by their Universities Joint Research Fund. Attended by well over 90 clinicians, researchers, scientists and industry experts, sessions included presentations from keynote speakers on up-to-the minute developments in relation to:

  • Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy
  • Cell and Gene therapies in paediatric and adult settings and
  • CAR-T, TCR-T cell therapies.

Models to progress the roll out of these therapies, via academic and industry collaborations were also showcased. Panel discussions were held, enabling participants to consider these learnings and the potential to create joint Trans-Atlantic research and industry collaborations in the future.

A meeting report, identifying key learnings from this event will be available to download via open access journal soon… Look out for further updates on the ATTCs website.

If you are working in, or researching this field and would like to be involved in developing potential future collaborative projects, between Manchester and Toronto, please contact: claire.howard30@nhs.net