Global Health Security Consortium Buys into Key Oxford Site

Posted by UK Property Forums on 11th December 2021 -

A prime scientific property in Oxford has been acquired by the Lawrence J Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine as a base for the Global Health Security Consortium.

The 5.9-acre Oxford Innovation Park, which includes 41,417 sq ft Littlemore House and two consented development plots, was bought from London-based Charterhouse Property Group. The park is next to The Oxford Science Park.

The two development plots have consent for Class E use (including laboratory space) and will provide 18,816 sq ft and 13,337 sq ft. Littlemore House will become vacant in September when higher education provider the SAE Institute will move out - and could be redeveloped for up to 75,156 sq ft more space, subject to planning.

The consortium, formally launched in May, is a joint initiative of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the Ellison Institute and a team of scientists from the University of Oxford.

Dr David Agus, founding director of the Ellison Institute, said: “We are thrilled to expand our footprint and create a first-class home for the pathbreaking work that the Ellison Institute and the consortium, its leaders, and researchers are doing to improve human lives and help to keep humanity safe.”

Chief executive of Charterhouse Property Group, Michael Holt, said: “We are delighted to be selling the property to the Ellison Institute and to support their vision to be at the cutting edge of life science research and disease prevention.

“Our company is concerned that R&D and laboratory accommodation is in extremely short supply in Oxford. We believe that emerging planning policy in Oxford should continue to work with world class companies and institutes to ensure Oxford continues to be at the forefront of innovation in this sector.”

The acquisition is the first property purchase by the Ellison Institute in the UK market.

The institute was advised on the deal by Trowers and Hamlins LLP, led by real estate partner Tom Calnan. Stephen Head, director of Hicks Baker, was real estate consultant. Charterhouse was advised by Memery Crystal, ACRE and Savills.

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