Date: Wednesday 28 October 2026
Time: 12:00-13:00
Location: Michael Smith Lecture Theatre, The University of Manchester

Followed by an opportunity to meet the catapult representatives on a 1:1 to discuss your project (13.00-16:30).

Translation Manchester and the Innovation Factory are hosting a dedicated Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Roadshow to connect University of Manchester researchers with expertise and support from the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGTC) experts that can help accelerate the translation of innovative therapies into the clinic.

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult is a UK government-backed, not-for-profit innovation organisation that helps researchers and companies overcome scientific, technical, manufacturing and regulatory challenges in bringing advanced therapies closer to patients. Its specialist expertise spans process development, manufacturing, non-clinical and clinical development, regulatory affairs, health economics and market access.

• Register now

Event programme

• 12:00pm: Welcome and introduction
• 12:10pm: The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult: Supporting the UK Advanced Therapies Sector – Dr Marzena Flasza-Baron, Business Development Manager
• 12:25pm: Navigating the Regulatory Pathway in Development of Advanced Therapies – Christopher Rogers, Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager
• 12:45pm: Q&A session
• 1:00pm – 4:30pm: Optional 1:1 meetings with CGTC experts

Optional 1:1 meetings

A limited number of 20-minute one-to-one meetings will take place between 1:00pm and 4:30pm for researchers who would like to discuss their projects, development plans, translational challenges or opportunities to work with the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult.

If you would like a meeting, please use the separate 1:1 request form and provide a brief description of your project. Only a few appointments are available, so slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and not guaranteed. If we are unable to offer a 1:1 meeting on the day of the Roadshow, we will work with the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult team to arrange an online discussion at a later date.

Who should attend?

This event is for University of Manchester researchers, including academic researchers, clinicians, translational scientists, early-career researchers, and innovators working in cell and gene therapies, regenerative medicine, advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) or related fields.

Why attend?

• Learn how the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult supports the development and commercialisation of advanced therapies.
• Gain insight into regulatory considerations for cell and gene therapy development.
• Explore opportunities for collaboration and translational support.
• Discuss your project directly with Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult experts through an optional 1:1 meeting.

Registration

• Event registration: Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Roadshow
• 1:1 meeting bookings: Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Roadshow: 1:1 Meeting Request

Speakers

Dr Marzena Flasza-Baron is a Business Development Manager for Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult for over 4 years she has supported academic researchers, spinouts and pharma companies, both therapy and technology developers working in the field of cell and gene therapies, to develop their product through commercial transaction contracts and collaborative grant founded projects with our Scale Enabling Technologies, as well as Access Strategy, Skills and Manufacturing Innovation technical groups.

She is a PhD trained scientist with peer-reviewed, published research experience in both industrial and academic settings experienced in Business Development with a demonstrated history of working in the biotechnology industry. She spent 15 years working in regenerative field applying basic and translational research skills to create Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) to produce allogeneic cell banks for cell therapy applications, but also to establish a GMP transferable manufacture process to produce a live cell containing regenerative therapy for wound healing and skin replacement for clinical trial applications. In the past she has also supported Business Development activities for CRO company offering research services in pre-clinical oncology and immunoinflammatory disease modelling of skin and gut.

Christopher Rogers is a Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, where he provides regulatory strategy and technical support to organisations developing advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). His work focuses on Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC), manufacturing strategy, quality, and regulatory pathways for cell and gene therapies. Christopher supports companies in navigating UK, EU, and international regulatory requirements, with particular interests in novel regulatory frameworks, platform-based development approaches, and the translation of innovative therapies for rare diseases and small patient populations. Christopher has supported a range of ATMP developers across different stages of development as a regulatory affairs consultant. Prior to this, he held analytical and CMC-focused roles for medium and large pharmaceutical developers supporting the development of novel biological therapies and their release following commercialisation.

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