Oxford, UK – 23 November 2018: Oxford Biomedica plc (“Oxford Biomedica” or “the Group”), a leading gene and cell therapy group, today announces the formation of a new digital framework initiative to streamline the production of next-generation medicines.
Oxford Biomedica will invest a total of £4 million, supported by a £2 million grant from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, in building digital and robotics capabilities that are designed to drive improvements in analytical methodology, supply times and cost of goods. The goal is to increase capacity, reduce the cost of manufacturing and reduce waste.
The aims of the project are aligned with the UK Government’s Life Sciences Sector Deal to help ensure that the next wave of breakthrough treatments, innovative medical research and technologies, and high skill jobs are created in Britain.
Oxford Biomedica is committed to investing in the UK and has recently announced the expansion of its manufacturing capacity to create an additional 82,398 sqft facility near its headquarters in Oxford. This new facility secures Oxford as a bioprocessing centre for Oxford Biomedica and will create up to 100 new, highly skilled positions at the Group over the next two years.
John Dawson, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Biomedica, commented: “With demand for advanced therapy medicinal products expected to grow at unprecedented levels, underlined by the interest received from our current and future potential partners at Oxford Biomedica, it is imperative that we continue to invest in our technology, capacity and innovation.
“This new initiative will provide us with digital and robotic enhancements to maintain our global leading position in the development and manufacture of lentiviral vector products. This is important for our own R&D pipeline as well as for our blue-chip partners as we continue to support the delivery of life-altering gene therapies to patients around the world.”
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