Gene and cell therapy group Oxford Biomedica (OXB) has announced the formation of a new digital framework initiative to streamline the production of next-generation medicines.
The company will invest a total of £4m to build digital and robotics capabilities designed to drive improvements in analytical methodology, supply times and cost of goods.
£2 million of this is in the form of a grant from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, and the goal is to increase capacity, reduce the cost of manufacturing and reduce waste.
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 OXB, it is imperative that we continue to invest in our technology, capacity and innovation.”
He added: “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.”
Earlier in the year, OXB announced the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Oxford after signing a 15-year lease on an 84,000 sq ft facility that was formerly Royal Mail’s Oxford Mail Centre.
