Milton Park companies secure more than seven per cent of UK’s life sciences investment

New research commissioned by Milton Park reveals that £2.14b of equity investment was generated across 272 companies located at the science, technology and business community over the past decade.

The findings uncovered by high-growth insights firm Beauhurst, show that life science companies at Milton Park secured an impressive 7.56 per cent of the UK’s total equity investment in the sector, equating to £953m. In 2021 alone, £842m of investment was generated – representing a golden age of life sciences, with Immunocore raising £189m, followed by £226m for Exscientia, both of which listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

The green energy sector has also gone from strength-to-strength at the Park, featuring companies including fusion energy technology firm Tokamak Energy and battery technology specialist Nexeon. Since 2013, a total of £136m equity investment has been secured by Milton Park companies working in the green energy sector while £18.4m worth of grants have also been awarded.

Further analysis shows that of the 57 high-growth companies based at Milton Park, 12 have spun out from academic institutions. The most popular sectors for high-growth companies include pharmaceuticals and technology, featuring established companies OBS Medical and APEM alongside venture stage firms, such as Isansys Lifecare.

The latest figures show that the combined turnover from companies at Milton Park reached £10.8b, while £68.3m of grant funding was secured over the past ten years. The publication of the Beauhurst findings coincide with the launch of the government’s plan to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology superpower by 2030.

The growing list of achievements by companies based at Milton Park is backed by its long-term plans for sustainable growth. The 2040 Vision sets out plans for how the Park will grow in the next 20 years up to four million sq ft, accommodating 20,000 people on site. This investment will take the Park from its current status as a leading science, technology and business park to a pioneering research destination and corridor for innovation, all while keeping environmental sustainability front and centre.

Crucial to making this vision a reality, the Milton Park team has been working with the Vale of White Horse District Council to refresh the existing Local Development Order (LDO), a simplified planning arrangement which will position Milton Park as one of the most supportive and flexible locations for companies to establish and grow.

Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive at Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), said: “The findings in this report demonstrate Milton Park’s impressive contribution towards Oxfordshire’s world-leading innovation cluster.

“The increasing number of high-growth companies we’re seeing across the county are pivotal to ensuring global advances are continued to be made across life sciences, technology and energy while at the same time supporting both our local communities and UK PLC.

“Promoting sustainable economic growth is going to be key to realising the potential of the talent and innovation we’re privileged to have across Oxfordshire.”

Philip Campbell, Commercial Director at MEPC Milton Park, added: “When I first had sight of this report, a common theme was clear: the companies based at Milton Park are trying to make all our lives better.

“This makes it a real privilege to be supporting so many innovative companies, playing a facilitating role in their pioneering discoveries - whether it’s Evotec making important advances in life-saving drug treatments, Emergex Vaccines developing T-cell vaccines or Tokamak Energy making strides in fusion energy technology.

“The Vale of White Horse District Council’s ambition to progress the LDO refresh will ensure, once approved, it continues to be the most comprehensive, simplified ten-day planning regime anywhere in the UK. This, combined with the single ownership of the Park, will maintain an important role in helping us nurture and accommodate our occupiers in support of their ambitious growth journeys, while also aiding the government’s efforts in ensuring the UK becomes a science and technology superpower.”

Set within the ‘Golden Triangle’ of leading UK universities, companies located at Milton Park gain unrivalled access to an abundance of global-leading skills and talent, while also offering fertile ground for university-spinouts.