Bilex Pharma is pleased to announce the successful completion of a £50 million Series B funding round to accelerate the development of its innovative vaccine pipeline and expand its UK operational capabilities.
Strategic Investment to Fuel Growth
The funding round was led by Oxford Science Enterprises, with significant participation from Cambridge Innovation Capital, SR One, and Wellcome Trust, alongside new investors including Sofinnova Partners and the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S). The round also saw continued support from existing investors who participated in the company’s Series A funding in 2021.
“This substantial investment represents a strong vote of confidence in Bilex Pharma’s scientific approach and development strategy,” said Dr. Andras Ottlik, CEO and Director of Bilex Pharma. “The caliber of investors we’ve attracted underscores the potential impact of our vaccines in addressing significant global health challenges.”
Accelerating Critical Vaccine Programs
The new funding will primarily support the advancement of Bilex Pharma’s lead programs through key clinical development milestones:
RSV Vaccine Candidate (BLX-RSV01)
A significant portion of the financing will accelerate the company’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidate through Phase 2 clinical trials and preparation for pivotal Phase 3 studies. This program addresses a major unmet need for older adults and maternal immunization to protect infants.
“RSV causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet no vaccine is currently approved,” noted Dr. Eleanor Harrington, Chief Scientific Officer at Bilex Pharma. “Our stabilized pre-fusion F protein approach has shown promising results in early clinical studies, and this funding will enable us to rapidly advance this program toward late-stage development.”
Universal Influenza Program (BLX-FLU03)
The investment will also support the company’s universal influenza vaccine through Phase 1 and into Phase 2 clinical studies. This innovative approach targets conserved viral regions to provide broader protection across multiple influenza strains, potentially addressing limitations of seasonal vaccines.
“Annual influenza vaccines require continuous updating and provide variable protection,” explained Dr. Harrington. “Our universal approach aims to provide broader, more durable protection that could fundamentally change how we approach influenza prevention.”
Emerging Infectious Disease Platforms
A portion of the funding will be allocated to advancing the company’s emerging infectious disease platforms, including the recently initiated COVID-19 and dengue fever programs, as well as expanding capacity for rapid response to future pandemic threats.
Expanding UK-Based Operations
In addition to advancing clinical programs, the funding will support strategic expansion of Bilex Pharma’s operational capabilities across its UK sites:
- Enhancement of research capabilities at the recently inaugurated Oxford Scientific Operations facility
- Expansion of process development capacity at the Cambridge Research Campus
- Initial investment in the planned Manchester Manufacturing Facility to support clinical and eventual commercial supply
“This funding enables us to build on our commitment to establishing comprehensive vaccine development and manufacturing capabilities within the UK,” said Dr. Ottlik. “By strengthening our infrastructure across research, development, and manufacturing, we’re creating an integrated approach that can take innovations from initial concept through to real-world impact.”
Creating High-Value Employment
The expansion facilitated by this investment is expected to create approximately 75 new high-skill jobs across Bilex Pharma’s UK operations over the next 18 months, with particular emphasis on specialized roles in immunology, process development, and clinical operations.
“We’re committed to growing our team with the best scientific and technical talent,” said Dr. Victoria Shaw, Vice President of Human Resources at Bilex Pharma. “This expansion creates exciting opportunities for scientists and pharmaceutical professionals to join a company at the forefront of vaccine innovation.”
Investor Perspectives
The investment round attracted strong interest from both UK and international investors focused on life sciences innovation.
“Bilex Pharma represents the kind of scientifically rigorous, mission-driven company that has the potential to transform vaccine development,” said Dr. James Williams, Partner at Oxford Science Enterprises. “The company’s approach combines innovative technology platforms with clear focus on significant public health needs, creating a compelling investment opportunity with potential for substantial societal impact.”
Dr. Sarah Thompson, Investment Director at Cambridge Innovation Capital, added: “The strength of Bilex Pharma’s scientific team and their progress to date in developing novel vaccine candidates is impressive. We’re particularly excited by the company’s commitment to building significant capabilities within the UK life sciences ecosystem.”
Building on Recent Momentum
This funding round builds on significant momentum for Bilex Pharma, following several recent milestones:
- Inauguration of the Oxford Scientific Operations facility in January 2023
- Positive Phase 1 results for the RSV vaccine candidate announced in December 2022
- Expansion of the company’s intellectual property portfolio with key patents granted in the US and Europe
- Strategic research collaborations established with the University of Oxford and Imperial College London
Looking Forward
The Series B funding positions Bilex Pharma for its next phase of growth, with multiple clinical readouts anticipated over the next 12-24 months that could significantly enhance the company’s value proposition and impact on global health.
“As we deploy this capital to advance our programs and capabilities, we remain focused on our core mission of developing vaccines that protect communities worldwide,” concluded Dr. Ottlik. “With the support of our investors, we’re well-positioned to address some of the most significant challenges in infectious disease prevention.”
About Bilex Pharma
Bilex Pharma is a UK-based biotechnology company dedicated to advancing human health through groundbreaking research and innovative vaccine development. Our mission is to protect communities worldwide by combating infectious diseases and emerging health threats with safe, effective, and accessible vaccines.
About the Investors
Oxford Science Enterprises is a science business builder and investor with a unique business model, working in partnership with the University of Oxford to develop transformational businesses addressing major global challenges.
Cambridge Innovation Capital is a venture capital investor focused on intellectual property-rich technology and life science businesses in the Cambridge ecosystem.
SR One is a leading transatlantic biotech venture capital firm that invests in emerging life science companies pursuing transformative advances in medicine.
Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation that supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone.
Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm in life sciences, specializing in healthcare and sustainability.
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) is a national seed investment fund that nurtures innovation with equity investment and strategic, technical and commercial guidance.