25 February 2026
Self-regulating chemical synthesis
Organised by:
SCI
Online webinar 16:00-17:00
Synopsis
This talk introduces the fields of cell therapy, gene therapy, and other advanced therapies: the use of cells, viruses, and other biological systems to deliver chemical and therapeutic benefits to patients. It will start with a definition and classification of the field, followed by an overview of the current status. It will then examine some of the concepts that make the field both challenging and exciting: self-regulating systems, when self-regulation fails, the value of variability and heterogeneity, programming biology, the partnership with the immune system, manufacturing challenges of quality and scale, and social acceptability considerations. The session will close with speculation about the future of the science and the industry.Speakers
Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive Officer
Catapult
Matthew Durdy is Chief Executive of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, having been part of the founding team in 2012. Prior to 2020, he was Chief Business Officer and was responsible for strategy, communications, marketing, and business development. He is a global champion for the early integration of healthcare economics and reimbursement expertise into decision-making and clinical product design.
He began his career in international investment banking and venture capital and has successfully invested in and managed a number of biotechnology SMEs and regional operations of multinational organisations. He has an MA from the University of Oxford in Pure and Applied Biology, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. He is also Chair of Parkinsons Research Ventures Ltd and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the charity Parkinson’s UK.
Fees
This is a free event.
All registrations will automatically receive a confirmation within 24 hours of registering for the event. Should you not receive written confirmation of your booking, please email conferences@soci.org.
All registrations will automatically receive a confirmation within 24 hours of registering for the event. Should you not receive written confirmation of your booking, please email conferences@soci.org.
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Booking Process/Deadlines
Contact
Conference Team
Tel: +44 (0)20 7598 1561
Email: conferences@soci.org
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