Just under 200 delegates from across the NHS, academia, industry, research and the patient community joined us in Swansea for our fourth annual Advanced Therapies Wales Symposium, themed “Branching Out: Growing Through Collaboration.” The event provided an opportunity to celebrate progress, share learning and explore how greater collaboration can accelerate the development and delivery of advanced therapies across Wales and beyond.

The day opened with a welcome from Deya Gonzalez, followed by an introduction from Rachel Savery, Head of Programme for Advanced Therapies Wales and our host for the day. Delegates then heard from Vicki Heath, Chief Healthcare Science Officer at Welsh Government, who highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving positive outcomes for patients and advancing innovation across the healthcare system.

Throughout the morning, a series of flash talks showcased the breadth of activity taking place across Wales. Updates included progress against the Delivery Plan for Advanced Therapies in Wales, workforce development initiatives supported by HEIW, enabling advanced therapies within NHS Wales, infrastructure readiness, national pathway mapping, and the ATMP Outcomes Programme. Delegates also heard from members of the Advanced Therapies Wales Clinical Expertise Forum and the Advanced Therapies Treatment Centre Network, demonstrating the strength of expertise and partnership working.

One of the most impactful sessions of the day was “My Casgevy Journey,” where speakers shared first-hand experiences of accessing an advanced therapy. The session provided a powerful reminder of the real-world impact these innovative treatments can have on patients and families, placing patient outcomes firmly at the centre of symposium discussions.

Collaboration and public understanding were recurring themes throughout the event. Patient voice was also included in the panel discussion exploring barriers to the uptake of advanced therapies and examining how greater awareness, better communication and informed decision-making could help ensure more patients benefit from these life-changing treatments. Later discussions focused on how organisations can work more closely together to share expertise, pool resources and adopt best practice as advanced therapies move further into routine care, which again featured first hand patient experience.

The afternoon programme offered delegates the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops covering digital requirements within the ATMP pathway, inclusive recruitment to advanced therapy clinical trials, creating a research strategy for advanced therapies in Wales, and enabling translation through GMP-compliant manufacturing. These sessions generated valuable discussion and practical insights that will help shape future work across the advanced therapies ecosystem.

Alongside the formal programme, delegates were able to network with colleagues, visit exhibitor stands, view posters and strengthen connections across disciplines. The event highlighted the collective commitment of partners across Wales and the wider UK to ensuring patients can access innovative therapies safely, effectively and equitably.

We’d like to thank all speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, poster presenters and delegates for contributing to an inspiring day of innovation, collaboration and conversation.

We hope you all enjoyed the day and we’re looking forward to seeing you again next year.