Strong operational momentum at Oxford BioMedica (OXB), as evidenced by its interim maiden operating profit of £9.4m (vs a loss of £2.2m in H117), highlights the strength in the company’s diversified business model. We continue to expect ongoing growth in the top line, driven in the near term by the commercial ramp-up of Kymriah (Novartis), the progression of Bioverativ’s haemophilia products to the clinic and the rapid advancement of its partnered products with Orchard and Axovant. We note that Immune Design’s CMB305 clinical programme has been halted, but forecast that the operational and financial impact on OXB will be minimal. OXB has transitioned three new preclinical assets into its pipeline: OXB-204 (Ophthalmology-LCA10), OXB-208 (Ophthalmology- RP1) and OXB-103 (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Additionally, OXB has announced the expansion of its lentiviral manufacturing capacity with a fourth facility. We value OXB at £632m vs £614m previously.
