Commission sets out 25 policy recommendations to unlock access and sustain UK leadership in CGTs

Senior figures from the life sciences, public health, and policy sectors are calling for the urgent creation of a UK Ministerial portfolio for cell and gene therapies (CGTs) as part of a sweeping set of recommendations to ensure equitable access to these transformative medicines.

Jo Pisani, Commission Co-Chair and Chair of the MedCity Advisory Board, said:

“The cell and gene sector can play a pivotal role in Labour’s plans to improve the health and wealth of the nation. Moving forward, it is essential that the government demonstrate a commitment to cell and gene therapies as an innovative sector that can drive delivery of their Missions to ‘Build an NHS fit for the future’ and ‘Kickstart economic growth’.”

The appeal comes from the newly published “Tomorrow’s Science, Today’s NHS” report, compiled by the Cell & Gene Collective’s independent expert Commission and backed by six senior commissioners from organisations including The King’s Fund, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, and the pharmaceutical industry. The report outlines 25 short- and medium-term policy recommendations to enable the UK to remain globally competitive in the CGT space while also addressing health system constraints that could limit access for patients.

The report is being launched today at a House of Lords reception, hosted by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick in collaboration with the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group.

Baroness Richie said: “The UK has the scientific talent and world-leading expertise to lead in cell and gene therapies, but we need focused leadership to match. I urge the DHSC to consider a dedicated ministerial portfolio to drive progress and ensure patients benefit from these innovations.”

Key recommendations include:

• Immediate creation of a CGT Ministerial portfolio by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to coordinate and drive the sector’s development

• Application of the 1.5% NICE discount rate for CGTs to reflect long-term value more accurately

• Evaluation of care decentralisation, exploring which CGT services can move closer to patients

• Accelerated screening pathways for diseases with NICE-approved CGTs

• Standardised national referral systems for CGT treatment centres (medium-term goal)

Despite limited approvals to date, over 480 CGTs are currently in clinical development, with estimates suggesting that as many as 10,000 UK patients could benefit from these therapies by 2028. Commissioners warn that without structural reform, including updates to reimbursement models and service delivery frameworks, the health system may struggle to keep pace with scientific progress.

Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King’s Fund, said: “The life sciences industry plays a vital role in the UK’s innovation ecosystem. I join my fellow Commissioners in calling for strong leadership to accelerate access to these transformative treatments.”

Henry Li, Senior Policy Adviser at the Tony Blair Institute, added: “Cell and gene therapies are our medical frontier – where we push the boundaries of what’s possible. By tackling current challenges, the UK can lead in CGTs, offering hope today and building a foundation for treating millions tomorrow.”

Andrew Hollingsworth, Co-Chair of the Cell & Gene Collective, concluded: “We now stand at a pivotal moment to build on early CGT successes. By leveraging the Commission’s insights, we can expand access to existing treatments and accelerate the path to future innovations.”