The arrival of G7 health ministers to Oxford on Thursday 03 June will shine a spotlight on Oxfordshire’s considerable achievements in the life sciences sector – and, according to the county’s Local Enterprise Partnership, there couldn’t be a better location globally for this summit to be held.
“Oxfordshire’s global role in the scientific response to the COVID-19 pandemic has further strengthened our reputation for establishing and attracting world-leading life sciences businesses and innovators,” says Ahmed Goga, Director of Strategy at the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).
Over the past 12 months, Oxfordshire has led the worldwide fight against COVID-19. OxLEP points out that this is underpinned by decades of pioneering world-class, innovation-led work in life sciences, ensuring that the county was perfectly positioned to respond to the global challenge posed by the Coronavirus.
OxLEP also adds that it further demonstrates that the county can also lead the way in addressing many future health-related issues that the world will likely face.
Ahmed Goga said: “The past 12 to 18 months have demonstrated Oxfordshire’s ability to play a major role in a globally significant sector.
“We see both the G7 summit and the coming months as an opportunity to engage with key officials and businesses around the globe to showcase the world-leading capabilities that exist here, attracting talent to the county as we progress with our vision for Oxfordshire to become a top-three global innovation ecosystem by 2040.”
Last year, the county’s life sciences experts mobilised rapidly in light of Coronavirus – this included developing the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and discovering, through the large-scale RECOVERY trial, that dexamethasone could cut COVID-19 deaths by up to a third.
Many other life sciences organisations in a range of associated disciplines, from medical devices to digital health platforms, also contributed.
Oxfordshire’s long-held expertise in vaccinology, immunology and medical research – together with its science community’s collaborative, innovative and pioneering approach – has been a significant factor in attracting life sciences companies to the area.
Some of the most prominent companies being Oxford Nanopore and Immunocore, the top two UK life sciences sector businesses by total funding received – £650m and £281m respectively.
Oxford Biomedica, another notable spin-out from the University of Oxford, specialises in the development and commercialisation of innovative gene-based medicines.
Many early-stage, high-potential medical science companies can develop their ideas at specialist facilities such as the BioEscalator at Headington – which provides lab space and support – or new laboratories recently built at the Wood Centre for Innovation, supported by government funding obtained by OxLEP, who have secured over £660m-worth of investment for Oxfordshire since its creation.