Oxford BioMedica chief executive Frank Mathias confirmed the company remains open to take-private discussions despite rejecting EQT's final bid in February. Speaking ahead of the group's capital markets day, Mathias emphasized that any deal would need both strategic alignment and appropriate valuation to accelerate growth and create shareholder value.

The FTSE 250 cell and gene therapy specialist, spun out of Oxford University in 1995, gained prominence manufacturing AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccines before pivoting to viral vector contract development. With £171m in revenues last year and a £744m market capitalization, the company has attracted private equity interest due to its niche position in autoimmune disorder and oncology therapies.

Mathias noted that while some private equity firms could provide additional financial means for faster growth, the board hasn't put the company up for sale. Largest shareholder Novo Holdings supports the current trajectory, believing the group can outperform the wider market through continued US investment and its specialized viral vector manufacturing capabilities.