Experts share what they believe are the solutions to key manufacturing challenges, such as lowering cost of goods and centralized manufacturing, in the cell and gene therapy sector.

Consolidation and acquisitions among contract manufacturers of cell and gene therapies is a growing trend, as Catalent acquires Belgium- and US-based MaSTherCell Global for $315m, and other cell and gene therapy manufacturers address capacity shortages.

Although there was no major acquisition starting out the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the deal-making flow has been steady. Pfizer licensed a neurodegenerative disease candidate to Biogen, while also selling Axsome rights to reboxetine in narcolepsy and fibromyalgia. Biogen signed a neurology R&D collaboration with CAMP4 as well.

Having signed a multi-year, multi-target agreement with Lilly worth potentially $550m, Atomwise CEO Abe Heifets tells Scrip the burden of proof is on AI practitioners to start producing relevant and actionable data.