The event concluded on 24 April 2024. To read the highlights and reports from the event:
- UCL’s first Advanced Therapies Symposium: Unveiling one of the largest pipelines from lab to market
- UCL ATMP report
UCL Advanced Therapies Symposium 2025 on 9 April 2025
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About the Advanced Therapies Symposium 2024
Celebrating UCL’s expertise in advanced therapies and its unique multidisciplinary approach, the inaugural UCL Advanced Therapies Symposium aims to bring together UCL scientists, research and clinical collaborators, funding entities, and healthcare industry leaders who specialise in this area.
This exclusive one-day event (in-person only) serves as a dynamic platform to explore UCL’s pioneering research in advanced therapies, emphasising the potential for translating research into innovative therapeutics for patient benefit and addressing real-life challenges. The event will have a strong focus on UCL's early-stage research and clinical experience alongside presentations on successful case studies, and panel discussions on industry and VC investments in spinouts. Delegates will be able to join the networking sessions throughout the day, which provides an invaluable opportunity for interaction with research and industry experts, fostering collaborations and connections within and beyond UCL.
Date: Wednesday 24 April 2024
Time: Registration 8.30; Seminar 9.00 - 17.30; Networking Reception 17.30 - 19.00
Open to: UCL staff and students, UCR BRCs*, and external partners
Venue: Kennedy Lecture Theatre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street London WC1N 1EH (Google Map, Local area map and transportation)
Learn more:
- Agenda
- e-Programme
- UCL brochure: Introducing one of the world's largest development pipelines for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP)
*UCL BRCs refer to: NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Centre; NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre; NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre.
Quick Links:
Poster Abstract Submission | Sponsorship Opportunities | Speakers, Session Chairs & Panalists | Program Highlights | Get Involved
Speakers
In order of appearance:

Professor Emma Morris
Professor of Clinical Cell and Gene Therapy, UCL Institute of Immunity & Transplantation; Director, UCL Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL; Consultant Haematologist, Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Lead, Adult Immunodeficiency HSCT and Gene Therapy Service

Professor Paul Gissen
Clinical Professor in Paediatric Metabolic Medicine and an Honorary Consultant at UCL Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

Professor Bobby Gaspar
Honorary Professor of Paediatrics and Immunology, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health

Professor Gabriele Lignani
Professor of Translational Neuroscience, UCL

Dr Haiyan Zhou
Associate Professor, Genetics & Genomic Medicine Department, UCL

Professor Amit Nathwani
Senior National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Investigator and Professor of Haematology, UCL; Founder and CEO of NovalGen

Professor Sarah Tabrizi
Director of the UCL Huntington’s Disease Centre; Joint Head of Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology; Principal Investigator, UK Dementia Research Institute; Honorary Consultant Neurologist, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

Professor Qasim Rafiq
Professor of Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Biochemical Engineering, UCL

Dr Claire Roddie
Consultant Haematologist at UCLH and Associate Professor in Haematology at UCL
Other Presenters - Early Career Researhers

Dr Stephanie Efthymiou
Research Fellow, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL

Dr Annalucia Darbey
Research Fellow, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL

Dr Amy McTague
Clinical Consultant - Research Fellow, Developmental Neurosciences Department, UCL
Session Chairs & Panellists

Professor Geraint Rees
Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement), UCL

Professor Simon Waddington
Professor of Gene Therapy, Maternal & Fetal Medicine, UCL; Chair of UCL Therapeutic Innovation Networks (TINs) – Cell and Gene Therapy

Professor Dimitri Michael Kullmann
Professor of Neurology Clinical & Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology

Dr Rajvinder Karda
Associate Professor in Gene Therapy, EGA Institute for Women's Health, UCL

Professor Daniel Bracewell
Professor of Bioprocess Analysis, Department of Biochemical Engineering, UCL

Dr Anne Lane
CEO, UCL Business

Dr Richard Fagan
Director of BioPharm, UCL Business

Professor Claire Booth
Mahboubian Professor in Gene Therapy and Paediatric Immunology, Head of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Department, UCL; Deputy Theme Lead Gene, Stem and Cell Therapy, GOSH NIHR BRC; Cell & Gene Therapy Service Clinical Academic Lead; Consultant in Paediatric Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital

Professor Manju Kurian
Professor of Neurogenetics and NIHR Research Professor, UCL-Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
External Panellist

Dr Elisa Petris
Lead Partner, Syncona Investment Management Ltd
Program Highlights

The symposium features speakers from across UCL to explore their pioneering advanced therapies research, showcasing successful case studies, early-stage research, clinical experience and CAR T-cell manufacture and therapies.

Experts across the translational research pathway in advanced therapies are invited to the featured panel discussions to delve into the subjects of investment involving industry, VCs, and spinouts, as well as UCL's clinical experience.

Connect with over a hundred advanced therapies experts at the various networking sessions built into the day, establishing new 1:1 contacts and generating leads for potential collaborations.

Meet UCL's early career researchers who will showcase their novel therapeutic research at the poster presentations.
Event Program
- 8.30 - 9.00
Registration - 9.00 - 17.30
Session 1: UCL Advanced Therapy Successful Case Studies
Session 2: Early-stage Research
Session 3: Clinical Experience
Session 4: CAR T-cell manufacture and therapies
Panel Discussion 1: Investment: Industry, VCs & Spinouts
Panel Discussion 2: UCL’s clinician’s experience - 17.30 -19.00
Networking reception
View the agenda here.
Meet our Sponsors
Meet our sponsors at the exhibition and networking space during the event. Interact with their representatives to gain insights into their expertise and create new connections for potential collaborations.
Other Sponsors

Poster Abstract Submission [CLOSED]
The UCL Advanced Therapies Symposium invites UCL early career researchers (students, postdocs, junior PIs and other self-defining ECRs) from all research disciplines to submit abstracts for poster presentations at the symposium. This is an opportunity to share your research, inspire others, network with fellow researchers and reach a wide audience.
Etiquette
Places are limited and on a first-come-first-served basis. To reduce waste and prevent people from missing out, please make sure to cancel your order if you are no longer able to attend.
Accessibility
We aim to make this an inclusive and accessible event and will fascilitate any additional requests when possible.
• There is a ramp/slope at the entrance of UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
• Accessible toilets are available
• Vegan and vegetarian options will be provided on the day; for additional dietary requirements, please inform us during the registration process.
View the full Accessibility Guide for UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Photography
There will be photographs taken during the symposium. By registering for this symposium, you agree that your image may be used in future UCL promotional material.
Organiser
UCL Translational Research Office
The UCL Translational Research Office (TRO) is an integral part of UCL’s biomedical research powerhouse. As an expert team of applied scientists and business developers, we support our researchers in realising their translational ambition by offering strategic advice, funding support, and bridging the gap with industry to help establish collaborations that drive the pipeline of therapeutic, device and diagnostic innovations.
Get involved
Sponsorship enquiries:
Kristy Tsang
kristy.tsang@ucl.ac.uk
General enquiries:
tins@ucl.ac.uk
Join our mailing list:
By subscribing to our newsletter, you will automatically be registered as a member of the UCL Therapeutic Innovation Networks (TINs) initiated by the Translational Research Office (TRO) and be the first to receive our news and event invitations.
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