UK

The UK's licensed gene and cell therapy manufacturing capacity continues to grow. A survey conducted by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult in October and November encompassed 25 out of 26 facilities (see table). Of these, 11 are commercially owned with the remainder in the academic and the public sector.

In total, manufacturing footprint (cleanroom space) increased 47.5% between November 2019 and November 2020 to reach 126,541 ft2 (11,756 m2) with a total of 159 cleanrooms. In-house QC space rose 9.9% to 98,834 ft2 (9,182 m2). New or expanded space was added by Oxford BioMedica, Cobra Biologics, and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult. During the coming 12 months, 700 m2 of additional space should be licensed.

Average booking capacity was 86% for the period, up 14%. Full-time staffing for manufacturing, test and release rose 15.0% to 1,310.

The top capabilities at UK gene therapy manufacturing sites, out of 8 categories of processes provided, were suspension and adherence (9 sites each), and lentivirus and AAV (8 each).

Among both cell therapy and multifunctional sites, the greater number of sites, out of 8 process categories provided, were allogenic and/or autologous processes (15 sites each), followed by tissue-specific stem cells (14) and immune cells (14).

Source: Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (December 1)

Spain

Spain has announced record growth for its R&D budget. The 2021 budget for the Ministry of Science and Innovation will increase 59.4% to €3,232 million ($3,784 million), including double-digit increases for several government R&D agencies (see table). The funding includes €62 million ($73 million) for training and hiring, including creation of tenure track positions. New funding for the State Research Agency (AEI) will promote private-public collaboration. The budget for the Center for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) includes €271 million ($317 million) for investments in businesses providing strategic technologies and €30 million ($35 million) to support small- and medium-sized companies.

Specific budgetary items will focus on healthcare and public health, including the Personalized Medicine Strategy led by Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) and an increase in the National Center for Microbiology and Epidemiology's budget. Funding of €69.5 million ($84.2 million) is designated for preparing for and responding to pandemics, including the Higher Council for Scientific Research's (CSIC) Global Health Platform.

Outside of healthcare, the CSIC will receive €40 million ($47 million) (for development of new energy technologies, and quantum technology R&D for production will receive more than €15 million ($18 million).

Source: ciencia.gob.es (October 30)

South Korea

According to the latest edition of the "100 Main Science & Technology Indicators for Korea," R&D investments continued to rise in 2019. Government budget allocations or outlays for R&D rose 5.7% to KRW 208,532 million ($179,008 million).

Government intramural expenditure on R&D (GOVERD) grew 4.3% to KRW 206,254 million ($117,053 million), with the number of projects up 10.4% to 70,327. Research Institutes received nearly half (45%) of GOVERD. By type of research, basic expenditures rose 4.0% (33% of total), Applied rose 10.1% (22%) and Development grew 0.8% (46%) (see table). By ministry the Ministry of Science and ICT gained the largest proportion of GOVERD (34%) with funding up 4.6%. By selected future emerging technologies, Biotech, Nanotech and Environmental Tech GOVERD (see table) increased 3.4%, 2.8% and 2.0%, respectively.

Source: Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (December 11)