UWE Bristol-based company eXmoor secures £12m investment
A bio manufacturing organisation based at UWE Bristol’s Future Space has announced an initial investment of £12m from specialist healthcare investment firm MVM Partners.
eXmoor pharma concepts ltd is a bio manufacturing organisation working in the cell and gene therapy (CGT) and biopharmaceutical industries. The company, which helps clients with process development, design of new manufacturing facilities and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice, joined Future Space in 2017 citing the quality of the labs and proximity to skilled resources in the South West as central to their choice for a new base.
Located at the university’s Frenchay Campus, Future Space connects entrepreneurs and tech innovators with scientists, researchers and graduate talent to spark collaboration, innovation and growth. Future Space residents also benefit from lab and office space alongside access to research and funding schemes, potential partners and future customers.
The £12m funding will enable eXmoor’s ambitious expansion plans which includes the creation a new 50,000 ft2 CGT process development and clinical manufacturing facility in Bristol. The company has expanded rapidly over the last five years, developing a portfolio of clients across the UK and internationally, completing over 400 projects across 15 countries to date.
Today, eXmoor’s globally recognised team of scientists, consultants and engineers delivers end-to-end CGT biomanufacturing projects, supporting businesses in commercialising research processes and developing fully licensed facilities.
The investment from MVM denotes a key milestone in eXmoor’s international growth strategy. The deal will facilitate expansion plans to create the new, dedicated CGT facility which will be designed in-house by eXmoor’s highly experienced, Capital Projects team led by Director Gavin Sutton.
The new facility will increase capacity for process development and add early phase clinical good manufacturing practice for cell therapies, gene therapies and viral vectors.
The business will also grow and develop its Translation Consultancy and Capital Project teams. The growth plans will see significant job creation with staff headcount projected to increase from 40 to 200, within five years.
Angela Osborne, founder and chief executive officer of eXmoor said: “MVM has a proven track-record working with healthcare and pharmaceutical organisations globally. This deal gives us a strong foundation for our future growth, not just in the UK and Europe but further into other international markets, particularly North America. CGT is such an important area in biomedical research and one that has the ability to treat, prevent and potentially cure diseases that affect people all over the world.
“The Bristol area is a great place to build on our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultancy and process development teams, attracting talent from the excellent local universities in Bristol, Bath and Cardiff. We have been fortunate to be able to continue and expand our operations at the University of the West of England in the Future Space innovation centre operated by Oxford Innovation and we would like to thank them for their continued support.”
Related news
29 July 2024
Student who dedicated his time at university to helping disabled people graduates
A student who has dedicated his time at UWE Bristol to helping people with disabilities has graduated.
21 May 2024
Growth for tech innovation in Bristol as Future Space expands
UWE Bristol’s award-winning innovation centre, Future Space, has opened its doors to 10,000 square feet of brand-new office and laboratory facilities.
18 January 2024
The new programme powering upskilling across the West of England
UWE Bristol have launched a new programme aimed at upskilling workers across the West of England, which aims make it easier to access the knowledge and expertise to boost their careers.
14 December 2023
'Wearable bodyguard' among ten new businesses by young entrepreneurs to receive funding boost
A business developing a ‘wearable bodyguard’ for safer solo journeys is among 10 growing businesses that have received a vital boost, thanks to funding donated by UWE Bristol alum Peter Fane.
04 December 2023
Prestigious fellowship awarded to UWE Bristol academic to fund development of music technology
A UWE Bristol professor has been awarded a fellowship which will fund the development of a radically new approach to digital musical instrument design.
15 August 2023
Former inmates to benefit from enterprise education course shown to reduce reoffending and boost employment
UWE Bristol has successfully secured funding from the City & Guilds Foundation to deliver enterprise education to previously incarcerated people.
16 May 2023
UWE Bristol expands support for start-ups with new incubation facilities
UWE Bristol has transformed its incubation space on campus, bringing together two technology incubators into one area.
20 April 2023
UWE Bristol's award-winning green skills programme returns for 2023
Applications are now open for the transformational Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship programme.
25 January 2023
Changemaker podcast series shines a light on UWE Bristol's champions and catalysts for change
UWE Bristol’s new Changemaker podcast series talks to those tackling global challenges through outstanding learning, research and a culture of enterprise.
13 December 2022
UWE Bristol alum Peter Fane donates £250,000 to University over the next five years
UWE Bristol alum Peter Fane, Executive Chairman of the Nurture Landscape Group, donates £250,000 to University of the next five years.
03 November 2022
UWE Bristol team wins Impact prize for work on empowering women in aviation
Professor Susan Durbin and her team have won the ESRC 2022 Celebrating Impact Prize for research into women in the UK aviation and aerospace industry.
03 November 2022
Success for inaugural Bristol and Bath Screen Summit
Showcasing Bristol's city-region as a leading production community, the summit focuses on ways to nurture creative talent and support innovation and diversity.