Gilead Sciences ‘strengthens commitment’ to inflammatory disease with new research site

With capacity for up to 60 research scientists and employees, the site will play a role in helping to drive innovation in the UK life sciences sector, with the ambition of bringing forward new medicines for patients living with inflammatory diseases, the company said.

Flavius Martin, executive vice president, research at Gilead Sciences, said: “Our new Oxford site will enable us to continue our pivotal research in autoimmune conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

“The opening of the site extends our impact globally – being Gilead’s first research hub outside the United States – and places Oxford at the forefront of addressing healthcare needs of people living with these debilitating diseases.”  

The news comes after Gilead acquired Oxford-backed research company MiroBio back in 2022.

Integrating the ‘incredible minds’ at MiroBio into Gilead has been ‘fantastic’ and the company is ‘delighted’ to continue the partnership with the new research center, added Lynne Murray, head of UK research and site head for Oxford at Gilead Sciences.

“We are excited about the potential to advance scientific knowledge and bring forward new transformative therapies for inflammatory diseases,” she commented.

MiroBio was originally spun out of Oxford University in 2019 and was based on more than 15 years of foundational research from Oxford University laboratories.

Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, said: “I am delighted that Gilead has chosen Oxford for its new research site, its first outside the USA. It builds on our city’s strength in biotech research and is a testament to the growing and vibrant innovation ecosystem surrounding Oxford University.”