REG - Oxford Biomedica PLC - Response to press speculation

Oxford BioMedicaAnnouncement

14/01/2026 17:00

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RNS Number : 9390O  Oxford Biomedica PLC  14 January 2026

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE
OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A
VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER RULE 2.4 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND
MERGERS (THE "CODE") AND IS NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN
OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE CODE AND THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT AN OFFER
WILL BE MADE, NOR AS TO THE TERMS ON WHICH ANY OFFER MIGHT BE MADE.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
               14 January 2026

Oxford Biomedica plc

Response to press speculation and share price movement

The Board of Oxford Biomedica plc ("OXB" or the "Group") (LSE: OXB) notes the
recent press speculation and share price movement and confirms that it has
received an unsolicited approach from EQT X EUR SCSp and EQT X USD SCSp each
represented by its manager (gérant), EQT Fund Management S.à r.l.
(collectively referred to as "EQT") regarding a possible cash offer for the
entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of OXB. The Group and
EQT are now in preliminary discussions to explore whether a proposal can be
made at a level that the Board would be minded to recommend.

The discussions follow earlier unsolicited proposals from EQT regarding a
possible acquisition of OXB. The Board of OXB, together with its advisers,
carefully considered the earlier proposals and rejected them on the basis that
they undervalued OXB and its prospects.

There can be no certainty that any firm offer for OXB will be made nor as to
the terms on which any firm offer might be made. Accordingly, OXB shareholders
are strongly advised to take no action at this time.

In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, EQT is required, by not later than
5.00 p.m. (London time) on 11 February 2026, to either announce a firm
intention to make an offer for OXB in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or
announce that it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the
announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code
applies. This deadline can be extended with the consent of the Panel on
Takeovers and Mergers (the "Takeover Panel") in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of
the Code.

The attention of shareholders is drawn to the disclosure requirements of Rule
8 of the Code, which are summarised below.

Enquiries:

 Oxford Biomedica plc:                                                          T: +44 (0) 1865 783 000
 Lucy Crabtree - Chief Financial Officer
 Evercore Partners International LLP (Financial Adviser to OXB)                 +44 (0)20 7653 6000
 Julian Oakley

 Simon Elliott

 Wladimir Wallaert

 Harrison George
 Jefferies International Limited (Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker to     +44 (0)20 7029 8000
 OXB)
 Philip Yates

 Sam Barnett

 Gil Bar-Nahum

 William Brown
 ICR Healthcare:                                                                +44 (0) 20 3709 5700
 Mary-Jane Elliott / Angela Gray / Davide Salvi

PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, a copy
of this announcement will, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons
resident in restricted jurisdictions, be available at www.oxb.com. For the
avoidance of doubt, the content of the website referred to above is not
incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of
any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise
acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities, or the
solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to this
announcement or otherwise. Any offer, if made, will be made solely by certain
offer documentation which will contain the full terms and conditions of any
offer, including details of how it may be accepted.

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in certain
jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who are not resident in the
United Kingdom or who are subject to other jurisdictions should inform
themselves of, and observe, any applicable requirements.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Evercore Partners International LLP ("Evercore"), which is authorised and
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") in the UK, is acting
exclusively as financial adviser to OXB and no one else in connection with the
matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone
other than OXB for providing the protections afforded to clients of Evercore
nor for providing advice in connection with the matters referred to herein.
Neither Evercore nor any of its subsidiaries, branches or affiliates owes or
accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or
indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any
person who is not a client of Evercore in connection with this announcement,
any statement contained herein, any offer or otherwise. Apart from the
responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Evercore by
the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or the regulatory regime
established thereunder, or under the regulatory regime of any jurisdiction
where exclusion of liability under the relevant regulatory regime would be
illegal, void or unenforceable, neither Evercore nor any of its affiliates
accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the contents of this
announcement, and no representation, express or implied, is made by it, or
purported to be made on its behalf, in relation to the contents of this
announcement, including its accuracy, completeness or verification of any
other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on its behalf, in
connection with OXB or the matters described in this announcement. To the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Evercore and its affiliates
accordingly disclaim all and any responsibility or liability whether arising
in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which they might
otherwise have in respect of this announcement, or any statement contained
herein.

Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), which is authorised and
regulated by the FCA in the UK, is acting exclusively as financial adviser to
OXB and no one else in connection with the matters described in this
announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to
the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other
than OXB for providing the protections afforded to clients of Jefferies nor
for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to in this
announcement. Neither Jefferies nor any of its affiliates (nor their
respective directors, officers, employees or agents) owes or accepts any duty,
liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in
contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a
client of Jefferies in connection with this announcement, any statement
contained herein or otherwise.

The person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on
behalf of OXB is Natalie Walter, Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary.

UK MAR

The information contained within this announcement is considered by the
Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse
Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of
the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this
announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information
will be considered to be in the public domain.

ABOUT Oxford Biomedica

Oxford Biomedica (LSE: OXB) is a global 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 30 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. OXB's world-class capabilities range
from early-stage development to commercialisation. These capabilities are
supported by robust quality-assurance systems, analytical methods and depth of
regulatory expertise.

OXB offers a vast number of unique technologies for viral vector
manufacturing, including a 4th generation lentiviral vector system (the
TetraVecta™ system), a dual-plasmid system for AAV production, suspension
and perfusion process using process enhancers and stable producer and
packaging cell lines.

OXB, a FTSE4Good constituent, is headquartered in Oxford, UK. It has
development and manufacturing facilities across Oxfordshire,
UK, Lyon and Strasbourg, France, Bedford MA, US and Durham NC, US. Learn
more at www.oxb.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube

RULE 2.9 INFORMATION

In accordance with Rule 2.9 of the Code, the Company confirms that, as at
close of business on 14 January 2026, its issued share capital consisted of
120,780,308 ordinary shares of £0.50 each, each carrying one vote ("Ordinary
Shares"). There are no Ordinary Shares held in treasury.

The International Securities Identification Number for the Ordinary Shares is
GB00BDFBVT43.

DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE")

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1 per cent. or
more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any
securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in
respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be,
solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the
commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in
which any securities exchange offeror is first identified.

An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests
and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities
of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange
offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a)
applies must be made by not later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10(th)
business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if
appropriate, by not later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10(th) business
day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is
first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the
offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for
making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1
per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company
or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the
person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any
securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the
dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and
rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree
company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that
these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing
Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by not later
than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the
relevant dealing.

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding,
whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant
securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will
be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by
any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company,
by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see
Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4 of the Code).

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant
securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made
can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel's website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant
securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was
first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on
+44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to
make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.

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