Advanced Therapies 2021 | Moving forward in the CGT field using lessons from the pandemic

Manuel Carrondo, PhD, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), Oeiras, Portugal, explains how lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic could positively impact the cell and gene therapy (CGT) space. Importantly, he expects the evidence and understanding obtained from the large-scale use of mRNA- and adenoviral-based vaccines and adenoviruses during the pandemic, which had previously been tested in only a small number of people, will undoubtedly lead to further research and development of these types of therapies. Furthermore, the increased collaboration between companies, researchers and regulators that took place during this period could accelerate CGT product development in the future. This interview took place at the Advanced Therapies Congress & Expo 2021.