Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (JP)–United Kingdom (govt): cell therapy, 201710– collab MoU signed by FIRM + CGT Catapult

	Period	2017-10-03
	Partner, 1st	Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (FIRM) (JP)
	Partner, 2nd	Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) (GB)
	Group	United Kingdom (GB) (govt)
	Product	cell therapy
	Product 2	gene therapy
	Person	Thompson, Keith (United Kingdom (govt) 201204– CEO of Cell Therapy Catapult before SNBTS)
	Person 2	Toda, Yuzo (Fujifilm 200905 General Manager Life Science Products Divison + FIRM 2017)

Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, The. (10/3/17). "Press Release: Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Enters into Partnership with Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine".

Memorandum of Understanding between CGT Catapult and FIRM provides prelude to cooperative relationship between UK and Japan cell and gene therapy areas

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (FIRM), Japan. This agreement demonstrates the shared ambition between the CGT Catapult and FIRM, an incorporated association focused on accelerating research and commercialisation of regenerative medicine, and aims to explore the possibility of a cooperative relationship to raise the international reach of the respective organisations.

Through this collaboration, FIRM and the CGT Catapult aim to advance their individual and common missions by connecting major industry players in Japan and the UK and sharing information regarding regenerative medicine technologies, policies, and legal issues. Through the combined efforts outlined within the memorandum, FIRM and the CGT Catapult hope to continue to increase the profile and standing of their countries in the cell and gene therapy space, advancing both organisations places at the forefront of cell and gene therapy research globally.

“We are pleased to announce this memorandum of understanding. The agreement with FIRM will enable us to boost the reach and profile of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult in Japan and ultimately develop stronger links between industry in both countries.”
Keith Thompson, CEO, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

FIRM works closely with the Japanese government and academia to establish a social structure to safely and continuously deliver regenerative medicinal products. More than 230 Japanese companies make up FIRM’s membership, with organisations from various fields such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, manufacturing, transportation, and insurance offering diverse expertise to support the research, development and delivery of regenerative medicine. Through policy, commercialisation and network support, FIRM promotes the practical use of technological innovation.

“The partnership between the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and FIRM will clearly promote the collaboration of industries between the UK and Japan, and accelerate the development of regenerative and cellular medicine products not only in both countries but worldwide.”
Yuzo Toda, Chairman, FIRM

“This marks yet another relationship with an important major international institution in the cell and gene therapy space, indicating that the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult is continuing towards its goal of becoming a global hub of expertise in this burgeoning area of Life Sciences.”
Keith Thompson, CEO, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult