OXB acquires manufacturing site in North Carolina
Quoted on London Stock Exchange, OXB has paid $4.5 million from existing cash for a custom-built cell and gene therapy viral vector manufacturing facility in North Carolina from RTP Operating, LLC – a subsidiary of National Resilience Holdco, Inc. (Resilience).
Integration planning is underway with key functions expected to be operational by Q1 2026. The company expects to realise a single-digit gain in 2025 as a result of the deal which is anticipated to broadly offset any acquisition-related and operational costs for the new site in 2025.
The deal expands OXB’s viral vector manufacturing capabilities in the US up to commercial-scale, increasing GMP capacity and enhancing services to clients across North America.
The FDA approved facility in Durham, North Carolina adds scalable vector manufacturing capabilities and end-to-end services across drug substance and fill-finish. The acquisition enables OXB to support late-stage programmes and commercial launches from the US for new and existing clients worldwide, particularly in the adeno-associated virus (AAV) field.
By leveraging an established, commercial-ready facility, the move will expedite OXB’s ability to meet growing demand from existing clients while supporting new business opportunities. Located in North Carolina’s biopharma hub at Research Triangle Park (RTP), the site brings a skilled workforce and access to established industry networks.
The site is said to complement OXB’s global network across Oxford, Lyon, Strasbourg and Bedford, MA, by adding US commercial-scale capabilities. It includes two operational GMP drug substance suites, a dedicated fill-finish suite, a further GMP suite which is expansion-ready, as well as on-site QC labs and warehousing.
OXB’s Bedford, MA site will remain an AAV centre of excellence for process and analytical development, focusing on early-stage development activities, with the new facility set to become a hub for clinical and commercial activities.
The development is in line with the company’s previously disclosed strategic initiatives to expand its US commercial capabilities. In August, OXB raised c.£60 million gross proceeds through an equity placing to support investment to strengthen its CDMO network, including expansion of its US commercial-scale GMP capacity and advance process quality, productivity and yields.
The company intends to invest in the new facility in North Carolina including hiring additional operational staff, in order to bring the site to full commercial readiness, with increased US fill-finish capacity and faster client onboarding.
It will also continue to build on its previously disclosed plans to make strategic investments in its existing sites to meet growing client demand.
Dr. Frank Mathias, Chief Executive Officer of OXB, says: “This acquisition is a major milestone in OXB’s evolution as a global, innovation-led CDMO partner of choice. The FDA approved facility in North Carolina adds commercial-scale US manufacturing capabilities, accelerating OXB’s ability to meet growing demand from existing clients while supporting new business opportunities.
“It significantly expands our footprint in the world’s largest cell and gene therapy market and enhances our ability to support clients globally across all major viral vector types and stages of development, particularly those in the AAV field. By expanding our capabilities in the US, we’re executing on our growth strategy and unlocking long-term value for both clients and shareholders.”
