Oxford Biomedica Appoints Laurence Espinasse as Non-Executive Director

Oxford, UK - 25 July 2024: Oxford Biomedica plc (LSE:OXB) ("Oxford Biomedica", "OXB" or "the Company"), a quality and innovation-led cell and gene therapy CDMO, today announces the appointment of Laurence Espinasse as a Non-Executive Director, effective as of 24 July 2024.

Ms. Espinasse brings more than two decades of experience across the legal and healthcare sectors and since 2021 has served as the General Counsel and Compliance Officer at Institut Mérieux SA ("Institut Mérieux"). Following the acquisition of ABL Europe (since renamed Oxford Biomedica (France)) in January 2024, Institut Mérieux is now a major shareholder in Oxford Biomedica, owning more than 10 percent of the Company's ordinary shares.

Prior to her current role at Institut Mérieux, Ms. Espinasse was a Partner and Head of the Business Law Department at MDL Société d'Avocats. Before that, she practiced business law at EY. She obtained her professional lawyer's certificate from the École des Avocats Centre Sud in Montpellier, France.

Dr. Roch Doliveux, Chair of Oxford Biomedica, commented: "On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Laurence Espinasse as Non-Executive Director. Her vast legal experience will be a strong asset for the Company as we look to build on significant commercial momentum and capitalise on the fast-growing cell and gene therapy sector. We look forward to her support and advice in driving OXB's continued success."

Laurence Espinasse, incoming Board Member at Oxford Biomedica, added: "Following the acquisition of ABL Europe, I am honoured to be joining Oxford Biomedica's Board of Directors. Institut Mérieux's significant investment reflects our confidence in Oxford Biomedica's potential. I look forward to working closely with the Board to drive the next phase of growth as a world-leading cell and gene therapy CDMO."

Relevant disclosures

Ms. Espinasse previously served as a director at Transgene SA, from May 2022 to May 2023. There are no additional disclosures required to be made in accordance with LR 9.6.13R.

-Ends-

Enquiries: 

Oxford Biomedica plc:

Sophia Bolhassan, Head of Investor Relations - T: +44 (0) 1865 509 737 / E: [email protected]

ICR Consilium:

T: +44 (0)20 3709 5700 / E: [email protected]

Mary-Jane Elliott / Angela Gray / Davide Salvi

About Oxford Biomedica

Oxford Biomedica (LSE: OXB) is a quality and innovation-led contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) in cell and gene therapy with a mission to enable its clients to deliver life changing therapies to patients around the world.

One of the original pioneers in cell and gene therapy, OXB has more than 25 years of experience in viral vectors; the driving force behind the majority of cell and gene therapies. OXB collaborates with some of the world's most innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, providing viral vector development and manufacturing expertise in lentivirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV), adenovirus, and other viral vector types. Oxford Biomedica's world-class capabilities span from early-stage development to commercialisation. These capabilities are supported by robust quality-assurance systems, analytical methods and depth of regulatory expertise.

Oxford Biomedica, a FTSE4Good constituent, is headquartered in Oxford, UK. It has bioprocessing and manufacturing facilities across Oxfordshire, UK, Lyon and Strasbourg, France, and near Boston, MA, US. Learn more at www.oxb.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.