The OLS Gene and Cell Therapy Industry Council

Advocating for Advanced Therapies in Ohio

The OLS Gene and Cell Therapy Industry Council will work to implement an integrated strategic plan to catalyze gene and cell therapy innovation, ventures, commercialization, and operations in Ohio.

Dr. Matt McFarland, Vice President of Commercialization and Industry Relations at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Tim Miller, CEO of Forge Biologics, will co-chair the Council.

OLS members with an interest in the GCT industry are encouraged to join the council.  Please contact Eddie Pauline, OLS President & CEO, to inquire about council membership.

GCT Council Updates & Resources

• Gene and Cell Therapy Legislative Briefing, November 2022 – Ohio Life Sciences and the Little Hercules Foundation held a briefing for Ohio legislators to inform on new biotreatment options pioneered in Ohio. Read the event summary (pdf) and watch the presentation video.

• Gene and Cell Therapies FAQ – What is gene and cell therapy? How widespread is it? What’s the cost? Answers to these frequently asked questions and many more can be found here.

• GCT Council Launch, May 2022 – OLS announced the creation of a Gene and Cell Therapy Industry Council to amplify industry support for the growing momentum of this category across the state of Ohio.

• GCT News on OhioLifeSciences.org – Read recent Ohio Gene and Cell Therapy news stories on our website’s Industry News page.

Mission Statement

To attract and incentivize gene and cell therapy healthcare innovation in the State of Ohio through advocacy, public education, economic development, and civic engagement.

OLS GCT Industry Council Strategy Initiatives

The following are selected key areas of focus for Ohio Life Sciences, our partners, and members.

Talent

  • Develop incentives for GCT companies to recruit mid-career, executive, and entrepreneurial talent
  • Align university, regional college, and community college curricula to the needs of the GCT industry
  • Develop programs to support the recruitment and retention of entrepreneurial GCT faculty and students

Infrastructure

  • Accelerate life science wet lab startup and commercial facilities adjacent to the Carnegie Tier 1 universities
  • Invest in GCT translational R&D facilities within Ohio’s leading universities and research institutions

Capital

  • Develop incentives for companies to conduct GCT translational R&D and manufacturing in Ohio
  • Increase funding for pre-licensed, GCT translational R&D at Ohio’s leading universities and research institutions

Business Development

  • Create GCT Centers of Excellence in Ohio
  • Catalyze the OLS Gene & Cell Therapy Industry Council initiative to provide a central GCT organizing voice