The Advanced Neurotherapies Centre hosted the inaugural neuro multi-disciplinary research group (MDRG) meeting this month in Cardiff.
The collaborative meeting took place on 11 July and was chaired by ANTC director Professor Liam Gray.
The session brought together 37 researchers from across the neuro research community for an afternoon of discussion and networking.
The session featured 11 rapid-fire flash talks covering everything from advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) delivery and development to clinical trial design.
Professor Liam Gray said: “It was great to welcome colleagues to the centre here in Cardiff. The aim of the meeting was to spark fresh ideas and foster new partnerships—and it’s already working, with several exciting collaborations beginning to take shape.
“This kind of cross-disciplinary collaboration is exactly what we hoped to create. It was fantastic to see so many researchers coming together to share, connect, and innovate.”
The neuro MDRG is part of a wider series of themed meetings, organised by Advanced Therapies Wales, designed to build bridges across research areas and accelerate progress in advanced therapies.
The next neuro-focused MDRG session is set for will take place in on Friday 14 November 2025 and anyone with an interest in neurological research is warmly invited to join.
For more information or to get involved, please contact antc@cardiff.ac.uk
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.
“Thanks to everyone who joined us and contributed to a special day.”
Photography by Matthew Horwood.
Clinical Trials Day (20 May) is an annual opportunity to reflect on all that has been accomplished thanks to clinical trials and the people behind them. In this blog, Gareth has kindly shared his experience of taking part in a neurosurgical advanced therapy trial.
Gareth’s story
Hi, I’m Gareth. Last year, I took part in a neurosurgical clinical trial testing a new gene therapy for Huntington’s disease (HD).
It was a big decision; one that surprised many of my family and friends but one that I’m proud I made. To that end, I wanted to share a bit about what the journey was like, why I chose to say yes and why I would hope others will also choose to embrace advanced therapies.
Before the trial
I was diagnosed HD gene positive in September 2021. This wasn’t altogether a surprise as I had witnessed several members of my family suffer at the hands of this dreadful condition.
Quite soon afterwards, I was invited to the Huntington’s clinic in Cardiff for a chat with Professor Anne Rosser. We talked openly about HD and what options, though limited, were available.
I was quite uplifted by this information, not realising the huge amount of research that was going on behind the scenes.
I decided that I wanted to help in any way shape or form and left the clinic far more hopeful than when I arrived.
Deciding to take part
My decision to take part in my trial was quite simple in the end, but I was certainly helped by background information I had gathered through ongoing meetings with Professor Rosser and my involvement with the HD Advisory Board, which I am a proud member of.
Whilst my initial motivation was personal, I soon became aware of the much wider influence that Advanced Therapies could have on so many lives.
The following consultations with Professor Liam Gray and his team only further enhanced my determination to get involved.
I appreciated the honesty and respect shown by everyone and I felt a high level of trust immediately. This connection was vital for me and helped erase any doubts in my mind.
The clinical trial experience
Committing to a trial isn’t just about the surgery – I learned that quite quickly after numerous scans, examinations and blood tests. Each part of the process is vital, and I could sense the collective commitment to this project from every individual team member.
Even the hospital staff, though not directly involved, showed huge interest and enthusiasm towards this ground-breaking treatment. This certainly put me at ease as, quite honestly, I am not a fan of hospitals!
Whilst I can’t recall the surgery, I do remember the moment I woke up with a sense of relief and an element of surprise about how good I felt.
The aftercare was immediate and detailed, and I felt comfortable and well looked after.
Reflections
Taking part in the trial gave me hope, and I’m proud I did it.
Even if it hadn’t helped me personally, knowing I contributed to something that might help others was worth it.
I’d encourage anyone offered the chance to be part of research to at least find out more. If I was asked to do it again, I would.
Advanced Therapies offer a new and exciting route into tackling previously untreatable conditions, and I feel privileged to have experienced it first-hand.
