OXFORD
BIOMEDICA
Oxford Biomedica Obtains Ethical Approval for
TroVax™ to Enter Trials for Colorectal Cancer.
Oxford,
UK - 16 October 2000: Oxford BioMedica announced today that
it had received ethical approval from the UK Gene Therapy
Advisory Committee ('GTAC') for its therapeutic cancer vaccine,
TroVax™,
to enter phase I/II clinical trials in patients suffering
from colorectal cancer. The trials are planned to start at
the end of the year.
TroVax™
is designed to stimulate a patient's immune system to recognise
and destroy cancer cells. The product is based on a gene that
encodes a protein that exists only on the surface of tumour
cells and not on normal cells - such proteins are known as
Tumour Associated Antigens (TAAs). When this gene is expressed
by Oxford BioMedica's highly engineered virus-based delivery
system, it induces a potent anti-tumour response. This means
that cells and antibodies of the immune system seek out the
tumour cells carrying TAA and destroy them.
Commenting
on GTAC's approval Chief Executive, Alan Kingsman said
"We are delighted with this decision by GTAC. This is
the third BioMedica protocol that has been approved by the
Committee and we are pleased to be establishing a good track
record of approvable products. The preclinical data with TroVaxTM
are very promising suggesting that the product may be useful
in a wide range of tumour types. We are fully aware that treating
tumours in preclinical models is not the same as treating
tumours in human beings. However we are optimistic about the
future of this product."
Andrew
Wood, BioMedica's finance director commented
"This is not only a major technical and commercial step for
the Company, but it also represents a key development in our
satisfying the London Stock Exchange's Chapter 20 rules for
admission to the Official List, with respect to two products
in clinical trials. We are on course to move up from the Alternative
Investment Market early next year as long as market conditions
are appropriate". |
