Oxford Nanopore Technolo... Share Discussion Threads

[seball] 29/11/2024 15:41

Interesting price action. Sitting duck for a takeover at this price.

[bamboo2] 28/11/2024 07:11

28 November 2024

Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc (the "Company")

Gift of class A limited anti-takeover share - Director/PDMR Notification

Notification and public disclosure of transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities and persons closely associated with them

As part of the Company's initial public offering, Gordon Sanghera, a Director and a Person Discharging Managerial Responsibilities, was issued one class A limited anti-takeover share of £1.00 in the capital of the Company (the "Class A LAT Share") on 5 October 2021.

As outlined in the Company's IPO Prospectus, the Class A LAT Share ceased to carry any of its rights on 5 October 2024, being the third anniversary of admission. Consequently, as previously disclosed, Gordon Sanghera agreed to gift the Class A LAT Share to the Company, following which the Company would immediately cancel such share in accordance with section 662 of the Companies Act 2006.

On 26 November 2024, Gordon Sanghera gifted the Class A LAT Share to the Company for nil consideration.

[bamboo2] 27/11/2024 13:57

apple, ONT clinical use is in the pipeline and should take hold 2025 onwards according to Gordon Sanghera. Obstacles are the usual, clinical trials, lack of trained staff, inertia, etc

It's already in ten NHS hospitals having advanced trials.

Germany, the US, UAE etc have it in place where there is no viable alternative, for example genetic conditions in newborns, rare diseases, etc

[apple53] 27/11/2024 13:11

For completeness, I wanted to admit to having flipped the 2 small chunks I bought around 121p. Average gain just over 10%. Sold earlier than I might as I have so little dry powder. I still have a position maybe 8x what I sold, so this is absolutely no reflection of my view.

I keep coming across areas where nanopore sequencing would seem the low cost, rapid solution. If had more time I would post them here and/or ask the company. In general, it seems the NHS should be rolling it out all over the place to save lives, illness and money.

[brucie5] 27/11/2024 09:48

Yes indeed. Which is why it's already a strategic asset to Ellison @10%. One might surely expect him to go further to protect it? Analogy with CWR wrt Weichei and Bosch.

[bamboo2] 27/11/2024 09:35

Brucie, Ellison has some grand plans in the UK.

A few months ago ONT head of clinical, Dr Emma Stanton, joined EIT as head of their pathogen programme. I think there is a good chance of further cross pollination as we go on. As you know, they plan to cure cancer.

[brucie5] 27/11/2024 08:23

Sounds like UKGov should be regarding ONT as a strategic asset, like RR used to be, and take a golden share, before Ellison gets to it...

[bamboo2] 27/11/2024 07:07

RNS'd as well!

27 November 2024

Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc

Oxford Nanopore and UK Biobank to create world's largest epigenetic dataset targeting the causes of cancer, dementia, complex disease

- The project will utilise Oxford Nanopore's technology to map the epigenome using 50,000 UK Biobank participant samples, to unlock crucial insights into disease mechanisms



- The initiative builds upon a new strategic partnership between UK Biobank, Genomics England and NHS England to drive biomedical research forward and improve patient outcomes in the UK and beyond



Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc (LSE: ONT) ("Oxford Nanopore" or "the Group"), the company delivering a new generation of nanopore-based molecular sensing technology, today announces a new collaboration with UK Biobank to create the world's first comprehensive, large-scale epigenetic dataset.

Oxford Nanopore technology will be utilised to analyse the epigenome using 50,000 participant samples to unlock crucial insights into disease mechanisms. This research project is expected to run for up to 24 months, deploying 15-30x coverage of epigenetic sequencing to characterise potential causes of diseases including cancer, neurological diseases and other common complex diseases.

Epigenetics is the study of how external factors and lifestyle choices can modify an individual's DNA. Epigenetic changes play a critical role in how genes are expressed and influence risk in diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Oxford Nanopore's technology provides a comprehensive view of up to 98% of the epigenetic methylation markers, enabling richer insights than traditional sequencing technologies, without the need for additional complex chemical processes, such as bilsufite conversion.

This epigenetics programme follows the previously announced strategic partnership with the UK Government, including the creation of the first real-time, pathogen-agnostic biosurveillance system across as many as 30 hospitals in NHS England-creating an early warning framework to detect and respond to emerging pandemics and biological threats.

These partnerships will not result in a change to the Group's already stated 2024 and medium-term financial guidance, with the incremental revenues supporting the Group's previously stated revenue target of more than 30% constant currency growth on a compound annual growth rate between FY24 and FY27.

Gordon Sanghera, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Nanopore, commented:

"This project represents a significant leap forward in epigenetics research, an increasingly important area of study related to causes of disease, disease progression and response to treatment. Working with UK Biobank to create the world's largest epigenetic dataset aligns with our commitment to drive discovery in healthcare and genomics. By capturing comprehensive methylation data, we aim to open new doors for understanding disease, especially cancer and dementia, and ultimately enable more personalised, effective treatments for patients."

[bamboo2] 27/11/2024 06:31

Oxford Nanopore and UK Biobank to create world’s first epigenetic dataset targeting the causes of cancer, dementia, complex disease

Pioneering research with potential to transform health outcomes through early detection, precise diagnoses, and personalised treatment for major diseases

Initiative will map the epigenome using 50,000 samples with the goal of advancing early disease detection, diagnosis and treatment in cancer, neurological disease and other common complex diseases

Oxford Nanopore’s direct sequencing technology to provide the most comprehensive epigenetic map out of reach with current mapping technologies

The initiative builds upon a new strategic partnership between UK Biobank, Genomics England and NHS England to drive biomedical research forward and uncover novel genomic signatures in cancer, human genetic disease and infectious disease.

November 26, 2024 07:27 PM Eastern Standard Time

OXFORD, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oxford Nanopore Technologies, the company delivering a new generation of nanopore-based molecular sensing technology, today announced a new collaboration with UK Biobank to create the world’s first comprehensive, large-scale epigenetic dataset. The project will utilise Oxford Nanopore’s information-rich DNA/RNA sequencing technology to map the epigenome of 50,000 participant samples to unlock crucial insights into disease mechanisms, with the aim of improving patient outcomes. This publicly available data will serve as a unique resource for the scientific community, bringing new opportunities to advance our understanding of genomics.

“By bringing government, the NHS, researchers and leading businesses together in partnership, we can transform our understanding of these conditions. ”

Epigenetics is the study of how external factors, including lifestyle choices like smoking and diet, can modify an individual’s DNA. Epigenetic changes play a critical role in how genes are expressed and influence risk in diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. For example, research shows that epigenetics is key to uncovering how tumours grow and develop resistance to treatment. In one study, single-cell epigenetic profiling provided a detailed view of the diversity of cancer cells within a single tumour, helping pave the way for personalised cancer therapies that could overcome treatment resistance.

Oxford Nanopore sequencing provides a comprehensive view of up to 98% of the epigenetic methylation markers across the genome compared to only 3% based on microarrays. Methylation is an example of epigenetics that involves adding chemical (methyl) groups to DNA at specific sites without altering the underlying DNA structure. Oxford Nanopore is unique in its ability to sequence ‘canonicalR17; bases C, A, G, T plus methylation markers including 5mC, 5hmC, 6mA and all contexts. This unprecedented level of detail is possible through Oxford Nanopore’s direct sequencing of native DNA/RNA, which enables richer insights that were previously out of reach. Nanopore sequencing does not require any chemical (bisulfite) conversion to detect methylation, preserving all methylated bases as part of the nanopore genome sequencing run. As a result, long-range epigenetic modifications, structural variants (SVs), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and repeats can all be identified and phased in a single dataset.

This collaboration aims to capture the full spectrum of the epigenome, or epigenetic markers across the genome, in a fast-evolving area of biomedical research with significant potential to improve lives. By capturing 98% of the epigenome, researchers will gain insight into what causes diseases to develop and progress, with the potential to develop targeted treatments for conditions like cancer, neurological and rare diseases. Importantly, this dataset will focus on predominantly healthy participants, providing an invaluable baseline for disease studies and supporting the creation of population-level risk profiles, allowing for tailored healthcare interventions going forward.

The initiative could also pave the way for new clinical applications, including disease risk screening and more precise diagnostics to support early-stage disease detection, offering hope for interventions long before conventional symptoms appear. With this data, doctors may one day be able to tailor treatments to patients’ unique epigenetic profiles, leading to more effective and personalised healthcare.

CEO Gordon Sanghera, Oxford Nanopore, said:

“This project represents a significant leap forward in epigenetic research, an increasingly important area of study related to disease progression and response to treatment. Working with UK Biobank to create the world’s largest epigenetic dataset aligns with our commitment to drive discovery in healthcare and genomics. By capturing comprehensive methylation data, we aim to open new doors for understanding disease, especially cancer and dementia, and ultimately enable more personalised, effective treatments for patients.”

Professor Naomi Allen, Chief Scientist, UK Biobank, said:

“Our lifestyle and environment can cause chemical changes to our DNA, which can contribute to disease by altering the ways genes tell the body which proteins to produce. By understanding these chemical changes, known as epigenetics, we can learn why some people fall ill and others don’t, even when they share the same genes.

“Right now, researchers only have small amounts of epigenetic data to study – this project will create a dataset unlike anything else in the world. It is orders of magnitude bigger, and because of the technology, the data will be much more detailed. Combining epigenetic data with the existing genetic, imaging, proteomic and lifestyle data that UK Biobank holds for our participants, will lead to a much better understanding of how diseases develop in mid- to old age.”

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

“Diseases like cancer and dementia have brought heartache to every family in the country.

“By bringing government, the NHS, researchers and leading businesses together in partnership, we can transform our understanding of these conditions.

“The progress they make will ultimately save lives and keep families together for longer.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

“Our 10 Year Health Plan will shift the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention, to tackle the root causes of devastating diseases like cancer and dementia.

“We will marry the care and compassion of the NHS with the ingenuity of our country’s leading scientific minds, to develop new cutting-edge treatments and technologies, and make our NHS fit for the future.”

Expanding the UK’s leadership in life sciences and epigenetics

This epigenetic dataset follows the previously announced of a strategic partnership with the UK Government, UK Biobank, Genomics England and NHS England to drive pioneering research that can enhance patient care in the UK and beyond.

By supporting foundational discoveries in epigenetics, Oxford Nanopore’s partnership with UK Biobank aims to drive economic growth in the UK’s life sciences sector and position the UK as a global leader in cutting-edge genomics and healthcare innovation. With this project and future research, the partnership will help catalyse new clinical applications, translating scientific advances into real-world benefits for patients.

[bamboo2] 26/11/2024 22:52

Subject to review on Tuesday 3rd December, ONT joins FT250 after market close on Wednesday 4th December.

[bamboo2] 26/11/2024 07:55

26 November 2024

Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc (the "Company")

Proposed cancellation of limited anti-takeover shares

The Company today announces the proposed cancellation of its three limited anti-takeover shares ("LAT shares"), being one class A LAT share of £1.00, one class B LAT share of £1.00 and one class C LAT share of £1.00.



As outlined in the Company's IPO Prospectus, the rights attaching to the LAT Shares expired three years from the date of admission. Therefore, on 5 October 2024, the LAT Shares ceased to carry any of their rights. Consequently, the holders of the LAT Shares propose to gift them to the Company for nil consideration, following which the Company proposes to immediately cancel them in accordance with section 662 of the Companies Act 2006.



Since the LAT shares have ceased to carry any of their rights, the total number of voting rights in the Company will not be changed by the proposed cancellation of the LAT shares.

[bamboo2] 21/11/2024 16:27

Ellison adding

57293679 or 6.004900%

[bamboo2] 20/11/2024 22:13

Genome Research

Long read special!

[peterrr3] 18/11/2024 15:41

There is a short on it from 12 Nov, but doesn't seem so material at 0.5 percent.

[apple53] 18/11/2024 13:55

Well, I did bite the bullet. I have very little cash, given disasters left right and centre, but I have managed to find some cash to buy a modest chunk back.

[the big fella] 18/11/2024 13:49

Needs to hold 120 support. There seems to be no logic for the share price movements in this share. It generally does the opposite to what I expect.

[apple53] 18/11/2024 13:41

Does anyone have any rationale for the share price fall?
I don't like the consistency. I don't mind volatility, and would ordinarily have reloaded below 130 already, but......

[bamboo2] 11/11/2024 07:27

Confirmation.

11 November 2024

Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc

("Oxford Nanopore" or the "Company")

Oxford Nanopore announces changes to the senior leadership team



Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc (LSE: ONT), the company delivering a new generation of nanopore-based molecular sensing technology, today announces that Rosemary Sinclair Dokos has been appointed as Chief Product and Marketing Officer and Dr Lakmal Jayasinghe has been appointed as Chief Scientific Officer, effective immediately. Rosemary and Lakmal, who will report to Chief Executive Officer Dr Gordon Sanghera, succeed Clive Brown, Chief Officer of Technology, Innovation, and Products, who has stepped down to pursue new projects. Clive will be available to the business on an advisory basis to support an effective transition.

Rosemary has more than 18 years' experience in innovation, including product management and commercial functions. She joined Oxford Nanopore in 2014 and has been a pivotal force in driving the Company's product strategy and execution, overseeing the development of Oxford Nanopore's platform technologies, including the recent PromethION 2 and GridION Q-Line launches. In her new role, Rosemary will continue leading the development of products that include new multiomic, clinical, biopharma and industrial applications, in addition to platform technology innovations and marketing.

Lakmal is a highly respected, world-leading nanopore and protein sensing scientist and scientific leader, with more than 18 years' experience. He joined Oxford Nanopore in 2007 and has been responsible for all biological research and development projects at Oxford Nanopore. Lakmal will continue to lead efforts to integrate new multiomic capabilities, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, into the Company's platform.

Dr Gordon Sanghera, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Nanopore, commented:

"Rosemary and Lakmal have played an integral role in the research, development and execution of our technology vision for many years. They bring extensive skills in innovation and product development, and the leadership of highly skilled technical teams. These span the most cutting-edge innovation to the deployment of mature products destined for regulated markets - critical to creating stakeholder value. Their knowledge, perspective and vision will advance our innovation leadership and fuel the continuation of our growth journey.



"I would like to thank Clive for his profound contributions to the development of the technology and the growth of the business over the past 16 years. He established the Company's distinct vision of distributed, accessible sequencing and fostered a culture of cutting-edge innovation and relentless pursuit of pushing technological boundaries, which has shaped Oxford Nanopore into the innovative force it is today. We continue to deliver against this vision and will carry forward his drive to deploy big ideas and solve big problems."



Clive Brown, former Chief Officer of Technology, Innovation, and Products at Oxford Nanopore, commented:



"It has been a privilege to work alongside Gordon, Spike and the leadership team and I am proud of all that we have achieved over the last 16 years. Given our progress, I am now pursuing my next professional challenge. Rosemary's focus on transformative product experiences and Lakmal's pioneering work in multiomics put the Company in a strong position for the next phase of its development. I would particularly like to thank the user community, who continue to work so hard to help us improve and innovate the technology to enable them to perform breakthrough science. I remain a dedicated shareholder and look forward to seeing the Company continue to go from strength to strength."

[alanhay99] 10/11/2024 10:43

Yes, was aware of the background. Thanks for the clarification.

[bamboo2] 09/11/2024 20:23

The rumours creator, Nava Whiteford, has a grudge against ONT and as an ex employee spends his time attacking the co from various angles.

It's obvious that ONT has been planning for succession, as CB has been absent from recent tech updates at LC etc, with others presenting.

Not a problem.

[alanhay99] 09/11/2024 16:48

Rumour on the Aseq blog that Clive Brown, CTO, has departed ONT.

Bit worrying.

Anyone heard anything?

[benchmark] 06/11/2024 10:10

Likewise - shocked even though I shouldn't be

[bamboo2] 06/11/2024 07:19

6 November 2024

Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc

Approval of the transfer of listing category

Further to the announcement on 8 October 2024, Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc is pleased to announce the approval by the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") of the transfer of listing category of its ordinary shares from the equity shares (transition) category to the equity shares (commercial companies) category on the official list of the FCA, in accordance with Rule 21.5 of the UK Listing Rules as modified by Transitional Provision 2 (the "Transfer").

The Transfer will take effect at 8:00 a.m. GMT today.