Evotec expands at Milton Park to become one of its largest occupiers

Evotec, a leading drug discovery alliance and development partnership company, has taken additional office and laboratory space at Milton Park, one of the leading science and technology communities in Europe, to bring its total occupation to 192,745 sq ft making it one of the largest occupiers on the Park.

Evotec has had a presence in Milton Park ever since the company’s merger with Oxford Asymmetry International plc back in 2000. Oxford Asymmetry International had been based at Milton Park since 1989 in various guises and started in one of the original ex-MOD depot buildings.

Evotec’s latest letting for expansion space, which totals 16,823 sq ft at 90 Park Drive, has meant that it is now one of the largest occupiers at Milton Park alongside other companies such as Immunocore and Adaptimmune, which also started life at Milton Park in the old white buildings as University of Oxford spin-outs.

Christophe Muller, PhD, head of Evotec’s Milton Park site and EVP global head of business development, said: “Milton Park is an integral part of Evotec’s history and more than ever its future. The current expansion has been driven by an increased demand of our high-end drug discovery services, specifically in the areas of biological and protein sciences. The additional footprint, in bespoke facilities on Milton Park, as well as the recruitment of scientific experts, are also part of our plans to develop a fully integrated platform and centre of excellence for structure-based drug discovery in the UK.”

Philip Campbell, commercial director, MEPC commercial director, Milton Park said: “We congratulate Evotec on their impressive and continued expansion. What started as an Oxford University spin-out 30 years ago in a small depot has grown to become one of our largest occupiers employing approximately 600 people, as well as many others around the world. They are a great success story and we are really proud to be able to support them in their continued quest for drug discovery alliances and innovation across many disease areas which have significant impacts for people across the globe.”

The news follows the recent announcement that five science and technology companies had joined Milton Park during lockdown.

Philip added: “As the world’s eyes remain on Oxford and its pioneering vaccine development, Oxfordshire continues to be the place for science and technology business. We have seen a significant increase in the number of enquiries in August for space in our Innovation Centre and across the Park, compared to previous years. Potential occupiers tell us they are looking for the right workspace where their staff can easily, efficiently and safely travel to work with room to social distance inside and outside, in a sustainable location. We are fortunate to be in 214 acres of ownership, of which 43 acres is open and landscaped space, representing 20% of the Park, made-up of water, shrubs, 80,000 sq m of grass and 2,653 trees. It is this, combined with our location and position alongside the world’s leading research university and ecosystem of businesses, which means that science and technology companies can continue to thrive.”

VSL acted for Evotec.