A rapidly expanding Oxfordshire biotech firm has made another major leap in its growth after taking over a Berkshire company.

Oxford Gene Technology, which has already seen its workforce grow from 40 to 50 people in the last year, will add another eight members of staff after acquiring Maidenhead-based Sense Proteomic.

Chief executive Mike Evans said: “We are in expansion mode, growing fast and trading profitably, even in today’s economic climate.”

OGT specialises in micro-array technology — DNA chips providing a wealth of genetic information for research into diseases such as cancer — and supplies its services to universities and pharmaceutical companies The acquisition of Sense Proteomic adds further expertise in the field including the ability to examine molecules in a cell to examine how the body reacts to the onset of disease and treatment.

Mr Evans said he hoped the combined company based at the Begbroke Science Park will be able to make major advances in the treatment of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Rachel Fallon of Sense Proteomic added: “The companies are a logical fit and will enable us to look at treatment of disease more broadly.”