OXFORD BioMedica has extended its partnership with AstraZeneca to facilitate potential future manufacturing opportunities for the covid vaccine.

The pharmaceutical manufacturer has signed a new three-year contract to produce the vaccines if AstraZeneca presses on with mass production of the jab.

Oxford BioMedica will make its Oxbox facility available on an “as needed” basis to the drugmaker after the end of the year.

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In accordance with the terms of the original agreement, Oxford Biomedica expects to recognise revenue of £30 million from AstraZeneca in the current financial year.

The new agreement is an expansion of the original deal announced between the two companies in September 2020.

Dr. Roch Doliveux, chairman and interim CEO of Oxford Biomedica, commented: “I am proud of the work of all our colleagues at Oxford Biomedica that has enabled us to deliver more than 100 million doses of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine.

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“While contributing to the efforts to fight the pandemic, this has also demonstrated Oxford Biomedica's ability to expand the scope of our innovative process development services and deliver high-performing manufacturing solutions beyond lentiviral vectors.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with AstraZeneca and execute on our strategy to become a global leader across all viral vectors, enabling Cell and Gene Therapy companies to deliver their life-changing therapies to patients."

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi