UK funding to drive progress in liver cancer gene therapy

Cambridge-based biotech spinout Spliceor has secured investment from the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) to drive forward pre-clinical development of its trans-splicing gene therapy platform, initially focused on liver cancer.

This marks the first award under the Cross-Catapult Investment Pilot – a new initiative supported by Innovate UK to enable Catapults to make targeted seed investments in early-stage companies. The aim is to strengthen the pipeline of advanced therapies in the UK by supporting technologies with high clinical potential across a range of diseases.

The funding will allow Spliceor to expand its team and progress validation of its platform technology, which enables precise gene repair. The company’s initial focus is hepatocellular carcinoma, a cancer with a five-year survival rate of just 13.4% and around 6,500 new cases each year in the UK. Spliceor’s gene therapy approach aims to deliver highly targeted treatment to tumour cells, with broader potential in other indications.

Investment decisions under the pilot are guided by a multidisciplinary committee of advanced therapy and venture capital experts, established by CGT Catapult to identify and assess high-potential opportunities in the sector.

 Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive of the CGT Catapult, commented:

“Spliceor exemplifies the kind of cutting-edge company we aim to support through this initiative - strong science, clear therapeutic application, and the potential to bring real benefits to patients. By enabling early investment in such technologies, we’re helping to build momentum across the UK advanced therapies landscape.”

Dr Tim Landy, CEO of Spliceor, added:

“This investment is a significant milestone for Spliceor. It will accelerate our progress toward clinical trials and help us take the next steps in developing precise, transformative gene therapies for patients who currently have very limited options.”

More information online