The London Biotechnology Show showcased innovation, from cell and gene therapy to startups and health equity in the UK.

Startups and innovative academic spinouts were highlighted in the startup showcase. Lydia Mapstone, PhD of BoobyBiome took to the stage and described her company’s pivot from supplements to starting in device promotion. Our team learned about startups from a heart valve scaffold company, Heart Biotech Nano Ltd, to a CRISPR alternative company, Forge Genetics.

Additionally, talks shed light on research in fields like cell and gene therapy. Cell therapy is when viable cells are injected, grafted or implanted, and gene therapy does the same on a gene basis. In Combining cell and gene therapies synergistically, panelists discussed the difficulties of scaling, testing and manufacturing these therapeutic methods, as well as expanding cell therapy beyond immunology.

In Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine: Challenges and Solutions, the panelists went into detail about their work and difficulties in bringing this work to a clinical phase. One major issue concerned the differing goals of investors and regulators, where regulators prioritize safety and investors prioritize efficacy. Additionally, the need to consider all interest groups in a preclinical stage. For instance, using off-the-shelf syringes and devices whenever possible to meet regulatory requirements. Professor Darius Widera also described discussing device with patient interest groups to discover that the best method for them would be an IV, a vital piece of information to have before moving into a clinical stage.

Another major point of conversation was the difficulty with taking biologics from a human body and adapting them to animal models to pass regulation.

For example, needing to test human cells in a mouse model. Dr. John Maher discussed 3d organoid and organ on a chip model as a possible more sophisticated approach, and Dr. Nick Meyers discussed needing to target a human tumor type in a non-human.

 

There were also conversations on how to best utilize innovation. In Building the Fortress: Strategic IP Development for Cell & Gene Therapy Leaders, Lionel Newton discussed methods to build patent portfolio during the pre-clinical phase and patent term, including looking to combination therapies, formulations, administration methods, and different patient subgroups.

Prof. Bola Owolabi CBE of the National Health Service gave a talk called The Role of Biotechnology in tackling health inequalities.

Prof. Owolabi discussed the UK’s projected 80% rise in long-term conditions in the bottom 5 economic percentile, and how the biotechnology industry can reduce burden.

The talk emphasized the impact inequities have on population health security, and how AI can bake in existing inequalities when based on flawed data. One powerful example of inequity was pulse oximeter design that was less accurate for patients with darker skin. Prof. Owolabi recommended the biotechnology organizations focus on equity in employment, procurement, and using the companies’ estates.

The London Biotechnology Show was chock full of innovation, and we hope to see all that we’ll learn next year!