Clinical Research Organisation (CRO) Emmes has created a dedicated centre to enhance the legacy and depth in cell and gene therapy research.
The new centre will focus on supporting the clinical trials of our clients who are developing cell and gene therapies around the world and across multiple therapeutic areas, including haematology, oncology, cardiology and ophthalmology, as well as rare diseases. The centre will combine a team of 100 researchers to capitalise on the company’s 35 years of cell and gene therapy experience.
Emmes Chief Executive Officer Dr Christine Dingivan said: “Our reputation and the growth opportunities in cell and gene therapy research drove the decision to establish the centre. We have supported more than 125 clinical trials that integrate cell or gene therapies and have a long record of successful collaboration with leading investigators in this field. This new centre centralises our resources and facilitates expansion in our current strengths to other high-potential areas where we’re building expertise.”
During this period, our cell and gene therapy research portfolio has evolved in parallel with scientific advances
The Cell and Gene Therapy Centre follows the successful launch of Emmes’ Rare Disease Centre last year. Adam Mendizabal, Ph.D., an Emmes vice president, has been named the scientific leader of the Cell and Gene Therapy Centre
Mendizabal said: “Innovations in cell and gene therapies are accelerating the opportunity to tackle increasingly complex research questions. Ultimately, what this means is greater potential to test and create life-changing treatments for patients suffering from a wide range of conditions and diseases. The successful partnerships we’ve built with leading cell and gene therapy experts have resulted in more than 100 scientific manuscripts co-authored by Emmes researchers and centred on research results and progress. “
Mendizabal added: “One of our areas of strength and proficiency is in the use of cellular therapies for blood disorders. Emmes is proud to have been at the forefront of this research for more than 30 years. During this period, our cell and gene therapy research portfolio has evolved in parallel with scientific advances.”
Mendizabal explained that Emmes has partnered with the National Institutes of Health and with biopharma companies to evaluate promising therapeutic approaches in multi-institutional clinical trials to improve the outcomes of blood and marrow transplantation and other cellular therapies for patients facing life-threatening blood disorders. Through these relationships, Emmes has contributed to practice-changing clinical trials and is known as a preeminent CRO in these therapeutic areas.
He concluded: “Emmes’ Cell and Gene Therapy Centre will harmonise our diverse credentials across multiple therapeutic areas and functions under one roof, allowing our best practices and expertise to be leveraged even more efficiently in this complex environment of evolving therapies.”
The centre will offer Emmes’ full complement of research services, with particular expertise in clinical trial operations, study leadership, statistical services, data management, and pharmacovigilance. Regulatory, training and educational support will continue to expand.