Oxford Biomedica makes progress on facilities and capacity expansion

Oxford Biomedica is reviewing its gene therapeutics pipeline to establish capacity requirements at the Windrush Innovation Centre in Oxford. The move comes amid ongoing development of lab space at Oxford Biomedica Solutions in the US as well as potential for alternative laboratory options across the globe. The initial plans proposed that the new facility would measure 64,583 sq ft and offer space for 250 researchers across three labs. Last year, the group doubled the £15m capex it set aside for the project. The redevelopment project is set to kick off later this year. In parallel, the company is progressing on the sale and leaseback of its Windrush Court facility (pictured), also in Oxford, with offers sought exceeding £55m. Oxford Biomedica bought the 36,000 sq ft of GMP-grade facilities and office space in 2014 for £3.2m. The company noted that the deal would help it to achieve additional liquidity and financial flexibility. In its report for the six months to 30 June, Oxford Biomedica revealed a swing to a loss of £27.4m from the £19.2m profit it had generated a year ago, as revenue declined to £64m from £81.3m respectively. The profit was also hurt by a year-on-year increase in bioprocessing costs from £3m to £12.4m, while research and development expenses jumped from £6m to £16.5m. Despite that, Roch Doliveux, Oxford Biomedica’s chair and interim chief executive, said: “Oxford Biomedica is in an excellent position to achieve long-term future profitable growth as a leading partner of choice to deliver life-saving cell and gene therapies to patients.” To send feedback, e-mail evelina.grecenko@eg.co.uk or tweet @Gre_Eve or @EGPropertyNews Discover which agents have been most active in Oxfordshire so far this year >> Photo © EG Radius