25th June 2025

Advanced Neurotherapies Centre officially launched at showcase event

The event brought together researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and individuals with lived experience of neurological conditions.

It marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the former Brain and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (BRAIN) Unit, now transformed into ANTC with the support of a £2.9 million investment from Health and Care Research Wales.

Building on the legacy of the BRAIN Unit, the Advanced Neurotherapies Centre is dedicated to improving the delivery of life-changing medicines directly into the human brain.

As one of the few centres globally with the expertise and research excellence to tackle this challenge, ANTC is focused on the safe and effective administration of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) for treating neurological conditions.

The launch event showcased the full spectrum of the centre’s translational research, featuring keynote presentations from international research leaders, NHS partners, public involvement collaborators, and industry experts in gene and cell therapy. Attendees explored a poster exhibition highlighting the depth and breadth of ongoing work, spanning every stage of the research journey.

Professor Liam Gray, director of the Advanced Neurotherapies Centre, said: “This launch marks more than a name change—it’s a bold step forward in our mission to bring cutting-edge therapies to those living with neurological conditions.

“By uniting world-class research, clinical expertise, and the voices of those with lived experience, we are creating a centre that is truly built for impact.”

Speakers included Dr David Fluck from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Gareth Cross from Health and Care Research Wales, who emphasised the importance of collaborative partnerships and the unique opportunity Wales presents for developing advanced therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Professor Wendy Larner, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, set the scene for the research environment, while ANTC director Professor Liam Gray outlined the centre’s mission and the urgent need for its work.

A trial participant, Gareth, also shared his personal perspective of taking part in a clinical trial. Read more from Gareth in his Clinical Trials Day blog post.

Professor Anne Rosser presented on the transformative potential of ATMPs in treating previously untreatable brain diseases. International guest speaker Professor Leslie Thompson from the University of California, Irvine, provided expert insight into the journey of ATMP translation.

The afternoon session featured Professor Liam Gray and Dr Dmitri Sastin discussing the critical role of Centres of Excellence and the challenges of delivering ATMPs into the brain. Dr Stephen Mittermeyer from AskBio concluded the day with an industry perspective on convention-enhanced delivery (CED), highlighting ANTC’s unique position in bridging gaps in the development pipeline.

This inspiring event set the tone for the next five years of the centre’s work and reaffirmed the power of collaboration in transforming the future of brain health.

Jo-Ann Baker, ANTC’s centre manager, concluded: “Our event was a celebration of the incredible teamwork and dedication that has brought us to this point.

“It’s also a reminder of the responsibility we carry—to push boundaries, to collaborate meaningfully, and to ensure that our research translates into real-world benefits for patients and families affected by neurological conditions.