New data shows continued UK growth in advanced therapy clinical trials

The number of ongoing advanced therapy clinical trials in the UK climbed slightly to 193 in 2025, with 56 per cent early-stage and 80 per cent commercially sponsored. It is clearly an encouraging upward trend.

The data is presented in the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult’s (CGT Catapult) UK 2025 Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Clinical Trials Database.

In an increasingly competitive global market, the UK continues to hold a strong position in clinical research, participating in nine per cent of all global trials and 57 per cent of all European trials in 2025.

Similar to 2024, the majority, over 80 per cent, of ATMP clinical trials in 2025 were in gene therapies, with an even split between ex vivo and in vivo. Oncology continues to dominate, with 35 per cent of trials in this area, and there is promising growth in other disease disciplines such as inflammation and the immune system.

Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive of the CGT Catapult, said: “With a supportive regulator and recent updates such as the increase to the NICE thresholds, the UK is well-positioned to benefit from the health and economic benefits of advanced therapy clinical trials.

“These trials are vital to ensuring the healthcare system is ready to adopt innovative therapies more widely, as they help build the skills, infrastructure and clinical environment needed to deliver these therapies safely and efficiently.”

Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult is an independent innovation and technology organisation committed to the advancement of the cell and gene therapy industry with a vision of a thriving industry delivering life changing advanced therapies to the world.

Its aim is to create powerful collaborations which overcome challenges to the advancement of the sector. Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult works with Innovate UK. For more information visit https://ct.catapult.org.uk/ or https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/.