Oxford start-up scales up R&D at Wood Centre labs

Exogene, the Oxford-based techbio start-up pioneering T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies for cancer, has secured 797 ft² (74 m²) of laboratory and co-working space at Barclays Eagle Labs in The Oxford Trust’s Wood Centre for Innovation, Headington.

Founded by Federico Paoletti and Andrea Mambrini, Exogene harnesses AI-driven platforms, biophysical simulations, and high-throughput lab screening to uncover novel TCRs capable of targeting solid tumours. The company is advancing its first drug candidate against non-small cell lung cancer.

This move marks a key milestone in Exogene’s journey from the University of Oxford’s BioEscalator incubator to a larger, collaborative R&D environment. “The Wood Centre offers the perfect blend of cutting-edge facilities and a vibrant innovation community,” said Paoletti. “It positions us to accelerate discovery and bring transformative cancer therapies closer to patients.”

Exogene joins five other early-stage ventures at the Wood Centre, including DJS Antibodies, Helio Display Materials, Jack Fertility, Lumai, and PicturaBio, creating a thriving hub of biotech and deeptech innovation.

Steve Burgess, CEO of The Oxford Trust, welcomed the company, saying: “Exogene’s cancer research is exceptional, and their expansion reflects the strength of our innovation community. With labs and offices set in a beautiful woodland setting within the Headington Science Cluster, our centre is fast becoming a hotspot for pioneering science and technology companies.”

The Oxford Trust’s £7 million Aspen Building, part of the Wood Centre for Innovation, will add high-spec mixed-use lab and office space across two floors. Scheduled for practical completion in July 2026, it will complement the existing Linden Building and Science Oxford centre and is now available for pre-let, allowing new tenants to tailor the space to their needs.

Managed by Oxford Innovation, the Wood Centre for Innovation continues to support ambitious start-ups and scale-ups driving breakthroughs in science and technology.

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