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Response to Rule 2.8 Announcement

25th Feb 2026 12:33

RNS Number : 4034U
Oxford Biomedica PLC
25 February 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

25 February 2026

Oxford Biomedica plc

Response to Rule 2.8 Announcement

The Board of Oxford Biomedica plc ("OXB" or the "Company") (LSE: OXB) notes the announcement made earlier today by 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") confirming that, following the announcement by the Company of a possible cash offer for the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of OXB by EQT on 14 January 2026 (the "Possible Offer Announcement"), and the subsequent announcement by the Company on 11 February 2026 that the PUSU deadline was being extended, EQT does not intend to make an offer for OXB. As a result, EQT is bound by the restrictions set out in Rule 2.8 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code").

In total, EQT submitted four proposals to the OXB Board, including two after the Possible Offer Announcement which comprised possible cash offers, and the possibility of an unlisted share alternative. The Board and its advisers carefully considered each proposal and, having consulted with certain key shareholders of OXB following the Possible Offer Announcement, unanimously concluded that the proposals undervalued the Company and its prospects and fell short of a recommendable level. The proposals were therefore rejected by the Board.

OXB is a leading global CDMO and viral vector specialist across lentivirus, adeno-associated virus, adenovirus and other viral vector types. The Board has great confidence in the capabilities of its leadership team, evidenced by the continued momentum in the Company and its attractive future prospects. OXB continues to make significant progress towards its financial objectives underpinned by its scalable end to end capabilities, sustained high demand and robust pipeline. These foundations reinforce the Board's commitment to deliver on its strategy to lead the cell and gene therapy CDMO field as a trusted partner with unmatched quality and innovation and create significant value for shareholders.

 

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 OXB)

+44 (0) 20 7029 8000

Philip Yates

Sam Barnett

Gil Bar-Nahum

William Brown

 

 

ICR Healthcare:

+44 (0) 20 3709 5700

Mary-Jane Elliott / Angela Gray / Davide Salvi

 

 

ABOUT OXB

OXB (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 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 FTSE250 and FTSE4Good constituent, is headquartered in Oxford, UK. It has development and manufacturing facilities across Oxfordshire, UK, Lyon and Strasbourg, France, Bedford MA, and Durham NC, US. Learn more at www.oxb.com and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.

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.

 

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RSPSESFEIEMSEDE

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