The UK remains one of the most active regions for advanced therapies despite market volatility, tighter investment conditions and operational cost pressures. While headlines often focus on challenges faced by the sector, several companies are moving in the opposite direction. They are progressing clinical programmes, expanding manufacturing capacity, forming international partnerships and securing solid financial backing.
Advanced therapies continue to be the strongest area of UK biotech innovation. Cell therapies, gene therapies and regenerative medicine platforms attract global attention due to their potential to treat conditions with no effective alternatives. Within this environment, a group of UK-based organisations stand out for their trajectory, scientific focus and commercial positioning.
Below is an overview of five companies that are likely to play an influential role through late 2025 and into 2026, particularly for professionals considering their next strategic career move
1. Autolus Therapeutics
Locations: London and Stevenage
Core Area: CAR T-cell therapies for haematological cancers
Autolus has built one of the most discussed CAR T programmes in Europe. Its lead therapy, obe cel, has advanced through regulatory review and secured MHRA approval in early 2025 for adults with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. This marks a major milestone for the UK cell therapy landscape and positions Autolus at the front of commercial CAR T delivery in the region.
The company operates a dedicated manufacturing site in Stevenage designed for high volume production of personalised therapies. This site is critical to Autolus’ strategy, giving it the infrastructure required for controlled scale up, global distribution planning and predictable commercial output. With the approval in place and multiple programmes in the pipeline, Autolus is set for continued clinical and operational expansion through 2026.
2. Resolution Therapeutics
Location: Edinburgh
Core Area: Macrophage cell therapy for organ repair and liver disease
Resolution Therapeutics concentrates on regenerative macrophage therapies aimed at restoring function in diseased organs. Its lead programme focuses on advanced liver disease, an area where treatment options are limited and unmet need is significant.
The company is running a Phase II study to demonstrate clinical proof of concept. Its approach combines cell therapy with a proprietary delivery and manufacturing setup that includes automated systems designed to minimise variability. Backing from strong investors provides the stability required to run longer clinical programmes and refine its platform technology.
Resolution has also invested heavily in automation for cell processing. This positions it well for the future of CGT manufacturing, where cost efficiency, reproducibility and reduced hands-on time are essential. Over the next few years, progress in its clinical study will determine how quickly the technology can move toward broader application.
3. Quell Therapeutics
Location: London
Core Area: Regulatory T-cell engineering for immune modulation
Quell Therapeutics is one of the most established UK players in immune tolerance. Its work on engineered regulatory T cells seeks to modulate the immune system in a controlled, targeted way. Programmes span solid organ transplantation, autoimmune conditions and chronic inflammatory diseases.
In mid-2025, Quell reached an important milestone with AstraZeneca linked to its collaborative programme in inflammatory bowel disease. This achievement reinforces both the strength of its platform and its ability to work alongside large pharmaceutical partners.
The organisation’s lead candidate, QEL 001, is being evaluated with the long-term aim of improving tolerance in liver transplant patients. It is designed to reduce the need for lifelong immunosuppression, a major challenge in transplant medicine. With several clinical activities running in parallel, Quell enters 2026 with momentum across both scientific and partnership developments.
4. Ori Biotech
Locations: London and New Jersey
Core Area: Automated platforms for cell and gene therapy manufacturing
The manufacturing challenge remains one of the largest barriers in advanced therapies. Ori Biotech addresses this need with its IRO system, an automated platform developed to improve efficiency, consistency and scalability of CGT production.
Launched in early 2025, IRO is already being adopted by CDMOs and cell therapy producers looking to standardise processes and reduce the cost of manufacturing autologous therapies. Ori has also entered into a strategic integration partnership with MaxCyte, giving customers access to high quality gene editing workflows within the same manufacturing ecosystem.
By solving bottlenecks in production, Ori reduces the operational burden often faced by developers and manufacturers. Its role as an enabling technology provider gives it a strong position within the supply chain and ensures relevance as more therapies move into later stage trials and commercialisation.
5. MeiraGTx
Location: London (Global Headquarters)
Core Area: Gene therapies for ocular and neurological conditions
MeiraGTx builds gene therapy solutions for patients with degenerative or inherited disorders. The company’s programmes include treatments for inherited retinal disease, ALS and conditions that affect salivary gland function. These disorders have very few effective treatments, making them suitable targets for gene therapy.
MeiraGTx operates its own GMP viral vector facility in West London. Control over vector production is a major advantage due to demand, long lead times and quality constraints often found in outsourced manufacturing. This facility supports internal pipelines and positions the company as a partner for organisations needing high quality vector supply.
MeiraGTx also maintains a long-standing partnership with Janssen. The collaboration provides access to global infrastructure, regulatory expertise and commercial pathways that support long-term development. With several candidates progressing and a strong operational base, MeiraGTx is well placed for continued advancement as new data emerges in 2025 and 2026.
Where These Companies Fit Into the Broader UK Landscape
The progress of these five companies highlights a trend. Despite market pressures, advanced therapies continue to attract investment and talent due to the strength of the underlying science and the size of unmet medical need.
Several themes stand out:
Manufacturing readiness matters as much as clinical data. Autolus, Ori Biotech and MeiraGTx all highlight the importance of controlled, scalable production.
Automation and efficiency continue to shape CGT strategy. More companies are adopting robotics, closed systems and standardised workflows that reduce cost and improve reliability.
Partnerships remain central. Collaborations with global pharma, CDMOs and platform technology providers accelerate progress and reduce risk.
Clinical maturity is increasing. Multiple UK programmes are advancing into Phase II or moving toward commercial readiness.
These shifts signal that advanced therapies will remain one of the strongest growth areas in the UK through the next several years.
Final Thoughts
While the wider market has been unpredictable, innovation within advanced therapies continues at pace. The companies highlighted here show strong technical capability, credible financial backing and clear routes to clinical or commercial value. For professionals considering roles within the sector, these organisations represent a mix of growth potential, advanced science and operational maturity.
The next 18 months will be important for UK biotech as it adapts to funding trends and regulatory evolution. Companies that can maintain progress through this environment will help define the sector’s long-term strength.
InCertBio will continue to monitor talent moves, organisational growth and scientific developments across advanced therapies as the UK sector moves toward 2026If you’re exploring career moves or looking to hire, InCertBio can support your next step
Email: contact@incertbio.com