Ian McCubbin CBE
Chair of Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, Chair of RoslinCT

Ian McCubbin CBE
Chair of Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, Chair of RoslinCT

Ian has a passion for biological science, in particular Cell and Gene Therapy due to the transformational medical benefits and the potential economic benefit created for the UK by this innovative treatment platform

RoslinCT is a unique contract development and manufacturing organisation based in Edinburgh and Boston. RoslinCT has a unique capability in cell and gene therapy development and commercial manufacturing.RoslinCT developed and supply Casgevy , a Vertex product, used to treat sickle cell disease and beta thalessemia . This is the first CRISPR gene therapy treatment and was approved first for use in the UK by the MHRA A clear demonstration of the UK National capability.

He was a formative member of the UK Vaccines Task Force during COVID and lead the manufacturing work stream between Jan2020 and May 2021. He also co-lead the Advanced Therapy Manufacturing action plan with George Freeman when he chaired MMIP. This action plan was adopted in full in the UK Life Sciences Strategy and was designed to “anchor” advanced therapy manufacturing in the UK.

He retired from GSK in 2017 as SVP Global Supply leading 17 factories around the globe delivering the new product pipeline of amazing products at scale .

He had two periods of service with GSK split by 7 years in the Generics industry with IVAX and Mark Generics.

Ian trained as a pharmacist and has remained committed to the patients that receive our medicines and treatments and place their trust in our industry to improve their health and keep them safe.