OXFORD
BIOMEDICA
Oxford Biomedica: Acquisition of Therapeutic Genes and
Issue of Shares
Oxford,
UK - 18 May 2000: Oxford BioMedica announced today that it
has signed an agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital,
Boston University and the Dana-Farber Research Institute extending
BioMedica's exclusive access to the use of the family of cytochrome
p450 enzymes in cancer gene therapy. As part of the agreement
BioMedica will pay an upfront fee, milestones and royalties
on sales.
The cytochrome
p450 gene CYP2B6 is the therapeutic gene used in MetXia-p450™,
Oxford BioMedica's first gene therapy product, which is currently
undergoing Phase I/II clinical trials in Oxford. This enzyme
is naturally expressed in the liver and activates the chemotherapeutic
drug cyclophosphamide. MetXia-p450™ allows activation
of cyclophosphamide directly in the tumour and thereby enhances
its potency as an anti-tumour treatment. A second Phase I/II
clinical trial of MetXia-p450T in ovarian cancer patients
has been approved by the UK Medicines Control Authority and
is planned to start shortly.
Under
a separate agreement also signed today, Massachusetts General
Hospital, Boston University and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
have made an equity investment in Oxford BioMedica, subscribing
for a total of 500,000 ordinary shares of 1p each at 55 pence
per share.
Commenting
on these agreements Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive of BioMedica
said:
"We are delighted to be able to extend and strengthen our
existing relationship with these leading US academic institutions
and are particularly pleased to welcome them as shareholders
in the Company. This is a recognition and endorsement of the
progress we have made in the clinical development of MetXia-p450™
since signing the original agreement in October 1997."
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| Notes
to Editors
| 1. |
Oxford
BioMedica plc
Established in 1995, the Company specialises in the
development and application of gene-based therapeutics
using advanced gene delivery technologies for the treatment
of disease in oncology, viral infection and neurodegenerative
disease. Oxford BioMedica plc was floated on the UK
Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange
in December 1996.
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| 2. |
Massachusetts General Hospital
Established in 1811, is the original and largest teaching
hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH conducts
the largest hospital-based research program in the United
States, with an annual research budget of almost $250
million and major research centres in AIDS, the neuro-sciences,
cardio-vascular research, cancer, cutaneous biology,
trans-plantation biology and photo-medicine. In 1994,
the MGH joined with Brigham and Women's Hospital to
form Partners HealthCare System, an integrated health
care delivery system comprising the two academic medical
centres, specialty and community hospitals, a network
of physician groups and nonacute and home health services.
Website: www.mgh.harvard.edu.
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| 3. |
Boston
University
One of the world's premier research universities, Boston
University is distinguished by its commitment to excellence
in teaching as well as to direct involvement in the economic,
social, intellectual, and educational life of the broader
community and of society worldwide. It is the fourth-largest
independent institution of higher learning in the United
States, with an enrolment of nearly 30,000 students and
more than 3,000 faculty in its 15 schools and colleges.
Website: www.bu.edu
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| 4. |
Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is among the leading cancer
research and care centres in the United States and is
the only centre in New England to be a federally-designated
Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Centre for AIDS Research.
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| 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 Communications |
Tel:
+44 (0)207 606 1244 |
| Scientific/Trade
Enquiries
Sue
Charles/ Katja Stout,
HCC•De Facto Group
|
Tel:
+44 (0)207 496 3300 |
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