Oxford BioMedica Shares Plunge 15% as Key Clients Pause CAR-T Trials

Key Facts

1Oxford BioMedica shares fell 15% following voluntary trial enrolment pauses by customers Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb.

2Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb paused enrolment in their autoimmune CAR-T programmes due to safety issues.

3Panmure Liberum maintained its 'buy' rating on Oxford BioMedica, suggesting the share price drop was overdone.

In a sector where clinical safety data dictates market confidence, Oxford BioMedica faced significant selling pressure following setbacks from its major partners. Shares of the cell and gene therapy manufacturer dropped 15% according to reports, after customers Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb voluntarily paused enrolment in their autoimmune CAR-T programmes. The suspension was triggered by safety concerns, raising immediate questions regarding the future revenue streams tied to these specific manufacturing contracts.

Despite the sharp decline, analysts at Panmure Liberum suggested the market reaction appeared overdone relative to the company's broader pipeline. Per analyst data, autoimmune indications accounted for only 13% of the company's 48 active programmes as of April 2025. Consequently, the broker maintained its 'buy' rating, noting that the diversified nature of the business and its current valuation suggest the sell-off may have been excessive.

Looking ahead, the market will focus on the company's interim results scheduled for release on September 22, 2026, which may provide further clarity on the financial impact of these trial pauses. As authoritative price data is unavailable for the close of September 2, 2026, investors should monitor qualitative developments regarding the safety reviews. Any official updates from Novartis or Bristol Myers Squibb regarding the resumption of trials will serve as the next primary catalyst for the stock.