OXFORD BIOMEDICA

Oxford, England - 16 March 2000. Oxford BioMedica has noted the recent news items concerning the public availability of human genome data which have coincided with a large adjustment of biotech share prices. As the UK's leading gene-based therapy company Oxford BioMedica would like to comment on three key aspects of these news items in relation to the Company and to the sector as a whole.

 

1.	Gene discovery vs. gene use There is a major distinction between gene discovery and gene use. There are about 200,000 genes in the human genome and they are there to be discovered which is the goal of the human genome project and related activities. In general, discoveries cannot, and we believe should not, be patented. However, if one takes a discovery and uses it to make a product, the product is a patentable invention. This was clearly endorsed in the statements by President Clinton and Tony Blair. Consequently, when a company such as BioMedica takes a gene and places it into a modified virus to produce a gene therapy product or a tumour vaccine product, that product is patentable and BioMedica has many such patents.
2.	Human genome data availability The public availability of the human genome data is an advantage, not a disadvantage, to companies such as Oxford BioMedica that develop new therapies, because they are able to use the data in their product development programmes. BioMedica is able to access all of these data and use the information to design and build new gene-based products. In many cases entirely new, artificial genes will be constructed from information contained in the natural genes discovered by the genome programme. These new artificial genes are inventions, not discoveries, and are therefore patentable. BioMedica has several patents covering artificial genes.
3.	Effect on product pipelines Many companies in the sector, including Oxford BioMedica are not dependent on the human genome data for their current product pipeline. Products under development are usually based on information that is already available and has not come from human genomics. Therefore, the free availability of human genome data should not negatively impact on their valuations. Even gene-based companies like BioMedica have sufficient genes to feed their product development pipelines for the present. In the future, Oxford BioMedica looks forward to using the human genome discoveries to accelerate the development of new patentable medicines for major unmet medical needs.

Notes to Editors

For further information please contact:

Oxford BioMedica plc
Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive

Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000

City/Financial Enquiries
David Simonson, Melanie Toyne Sewell Merlin Financial

Tel: +44 (0)171 606 1244

Scientific/Trade Enquiries
Sue Charles/ Sarah Pattinson, HCC•De Facto Group

Tel: +44 (0)171 496 3300