We recently attended the Advanced Therapies Integrates event at Victoria House London. A key theme throughout the discussions on the day, was the importance of community and collaboration. Advanced therapies rely not only on strong science, but also on the partnerships and people behind them.

We were delighted to be asked to join a panel discussion entitled “In Their Shoes” highlighting real, lived experience from patients and their families, discussing why the patient perspective is so important.

CAR-T therapy patient, Sandra Leadley-Watkins shared her story following her lymphoma diagnosis. After exhausting various treatment options, Sandra was offered CAR-T therapy, and has been in remission since receiving the therapy two years ago. She was joined in the discussion by fellow panel members: Nicola Redfern (chair), James Kelly (MEF2C Foundation), Paula Shutt (Sickle Cell Society), Natalie Misciattelli (AAVantgarde Bio) and our very own John Lewis (Advanced Therapies Wales and Midlands-Wales Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre).

Sandra’s story was truly inspirational as a reminder of why advanced therapies are so important. Together, the panel shared how they are working tirelessly to give patients a voice, accelerating the development of therapies and ensuring that treatments will effectively meet patient needs.