Governance
Governance of the Innovation Hubs for Gene Therapies is provided by a Coordinating Committee and Project Board.
Coordinating Committee
The Coordinating Committee is responsible for ensuring that the key aims of the initiative are delivered by all three Hubs, coordinating activities, and engaging with the wider vector manufacturing and gene therapy communities. The Committee will also be responsible for selection and allocation of projects.
- Dr Sven Kili (Chair)
- Professor Uta Griesenbach (Professor of Molecular Medicine, Imperial College London)
- Dr Yuan Zhao (Principal Scientist and Leader of Gene Therapy Section, NIBSC, MHRA)
- Professor Robin Ali (Director, London Hub)
- Professor Simon Howell (Director of Academic Estates Strategy for Health Campuses, London Hub)
- Professor Mimoun Azzouz (Director, Sheffield Hub)
- Dr Jon Smythe (Director, Bristol Hub)
- Dr Paul Lloyd-Evans (Co-Director, Bristol Hub)
- Andrew Farquharson (Executive Director of Technology Transfer, LifeArc)
- Dr Louise Jones (Head of Translation, MRC)
Project Board
- Dr Catriona Crombie (Associate Director of Technology Transfer, LifeArc)
- Dr Louise Jones (Head of Translation, MRC)
- Dr Steven Tait (Senior Business Manager, LifeArc)
- Dr Penny Morton (Programme Manager, MRC)
- Sophie Mountcastle (Network Manager, on behalf of MRC and LifeArc)
- Dr Vanisree Staniforth (Senior Portfolio Manager, BBSRC)
Working Groups
The Coordinating Committee and Project Board are supported by four working groups that focus on the delivery of key aspects of the network.
Project Management Group
The role of the Project Management Group is to share project management good practice for the network, project goals, milestones, and achievements.
Process Development Group
The role of the Process Development Group is to share best practice in process developments and to discuss novel technologies that may benefit the network. The group is also responsible for recommending shared technologies across the network including materials such as vectors, cell-lines, and plasmid.
Contact: Penny Moreton (penny.moreton@mrc.ukri.org)
Skills and Training Group
Skills and training are central to the goals of the network. The Innovation Hubs have a remit to increase level and numbers of those skilled in developing and producing gene therapies. The Skills and Training Group will develop opportunities and courses to support this aim.
Communications Group
The Communications Group will provide opportunities for all stakeholders within the network to share information and knowledge to both internal and external audiences. From this information, the group members will assist in the development and provision of centrally created communications resources. The group will also work closely with the Coordinating Committee to understand broader industry issues that could potentially impact the Hub network, with a view to developing and communicating a position on matters relevant to gene therapy research and innovation.