Oxford Genetics Ltd, a leading biotech which specialises in DNA design, protein expression optimisation and cell line development technologies and services, has moved its operations to new, state-of-the-art laboratories at The Oxford Science Park.
The move from Begbroke Science Park to Medawar Centre I increases the company’s laboratory space to 5,700 sq ft and forms part of Oxford Genetics’ on-going growth strategy as it expands its operations to support new services for cancer fighting technologies.
The company has experienced rapid growth in the last 12 months and has scaled its infrastructure and team to support its customer base in the biopharmaceutical industry. Oxford Genetics will use its new location to increase research and development into services to support cell and gene therapy, which is currently being trialled as a potentially effective, non-harmful treatment for cancer and other disorders, and is a sector identified by the company as a key market for growth.
The new facilities will also include dedicated cell development suites and new robotic platforms for process automation. This will allow Oxford Genetics to scale its services, following an increase in demand from new and existing customers.
Commenting on the expansion, Ryan Cawood, chief executive officer, Oxford Genetics Ltd said: “As Oxford Genetics continues to grow, it is essential that we build capacity to accommodate our expanding team and suite of technologies and services. The dedicated facilities will enable us to meet more client requests, and allows us to broaden our customers’ access to the full spectrum of technologies that our scientists have developed.”
The company has achieved significant growth in the last year, expanding its customer base primarily in the biopharmaceutical industry. It has also created more jobs for the local scientific community, growing in less than a year from just three employees to over 25.
The company joins more than 65 companies already based at The Oxford Science Park, which is one of the most influential science, technology and business parks in the UK.
Piers Scrimshaw-Wright, managing director, The Oxford Science Park said: “We warmly welcome Oxford Genetics to the Park. With the company’s recent and impressive growth we are thrilled that we are able to accommodate them as they continue their research and development into services to support cell and gene therapy. We are certain that Oxford Genetics will thrive as part of our rich commercial ecosystem and benefit from our great campus-like working environment with access to busy communal spaces, coffee shops, our new Deli, and outdoor spaces.”
The opening of Oxford Genetics’ new facility follows the recent announcement that the company has appointed three industry veterans to its board: Dr Matt Baker, Dr Paul Brooks and Dr David Hames. The appointments further strengthen its position as a market leader in DNA design, protein expression and virus and cell line development.
Carter Jonas acted on behalf of The Oxford Science Park to enable the Oxford Genetics move.
