Oxford
BioMedica plc - Research & Development Agreement with
Intervet Pharma
Oxford
BioMedica plc (‘BioMedica’) and Intervet Pharma
R&D
SA (‘Intervet’) announced today that they had
signed a research agreement for the development of TroVax®-VET.
Under the terms of this agreement BioMedica and Intervet
aim to complete a license for the commercialisation of
TroVax-VET. This will include an option to acquire a number
of other veterinary cancer products arising from BioMedica’s
antigen discovery programme. The agreement replaces a previous
agreement between Oxford BioMedica and Virbac SA.
TroVax-VET
is a veterinary version of Oxford BioMedica’s
lead human cancer product TroVax®. Both products are designed
to stimulate a cancer patient’s immune system to
destroy tumour cells anywhere in the body. The products
are composed of an engineered vector containing a gene
encoding a tumour-specific antigen. When TroVax is injected
it stimulates a potent immune response which is targeted
against any cell with the antigen on its surface. This
results in a response that is directed only to the patient’s
tumour cells.
The human product TroVax has recently completed successful
Phase I/II trials in colorectal cancer patients. In these
trials TroVax was shown to be safe and extremely efficient
at inducing appropriate immune responses. TroVax is expected
to complete a Phase II study in colorectal cancer, in combination
with chemotherapy, during 2003 and be ready for Phase III
studies by the end of the year. In addition the indications
for TroVax will be broadened in a series of additional Phase
II trials during 2003.
Commenting
on the new relationship, Oxford BioMedica’s
Chief Executive, Professor Alan Kingsman said: “We
are delighted to be working with Intervet, one of the world’s
top veterinary companies. The commitment to rapid product
development is particularly pleasing.”
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| Notes
| 1. |
Oxford
BioMedica plc |
| |
Established
in 1995 as a spin out from Oxford University, Oxford
BioMedica plc specialises in the development of novel
gene-based therapeutics using its proprietary gene
regulation and delivery technologies to address major
unmet clinical needs. The Company has a broad product
pipeline targeted at effective treatments for cancer,
neuro-degenerative disorders, retinopathy and HIV.
This is underpinned by over 70 patent families, about
quarter of which are issued. Oxford BioMedica’s
products use genes as the mediators of a therapeutic
effect and/or immune response. The Company’s
gene therapy products deliver therapeutic molecules
in vivo whilst its gene-based immunotherapy products
deliver genes that recruit the patient’s immune
system to mediate a therapeutic effect. The genes
are delivered by the Company’s highly engineered
viruses or cells.
Oxford BioMedica plc was floated on the Alternative Investment
Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 1996,
and was promoted to the United Kingdom Listing Authority
Official List in April 2001 following a successful £35.5
million fund-raising.
Oxford BioMedica is headquartered in Oxford, UK and
has a wholly-owned subsidiary in San Diego, USA.
Currently Oxford BioMedica has corporate
collaborations with Wyeth, IDM, Amersham and ARIUS
Research. BioMedica
has two products in clinical development: TroVax® for
late-stage colorectal cancer is entering Phase II trials,
and MetXia® for late-stage breast cancer is completing
Phase I/II studies.
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| 2. |
Intervet Pharma SA |
| |
Intervet
Pharma R&D SA is a company of Intervet International
bv, focusing on R&D for veterinary pharmaceuticals.
Intervet, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, headquartered
in Boxmeer, The Netherlands, with sales of EUR 1.096
million in 2001, is focused on the research and development,
manufacturing and marketing of veterinary products.
Products include vaccines for the prevention of infectious
diseases, anti-infectives, anti-parasitics and products
for fertility management. All of these products are
intended for use in a variety of animal species, including
poultry, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, fish and
companion animals. Intervet operates globally with
its own marketing organizations. The company currently
employs around 5,000 people.
Internet: www.intervet.com
Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers
throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings
and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2001 totaled
EUR 14 billion. The Company currently employs over
67,000 people in more than 80 countries. Financial
results for the full year 2002 will be published on
February 11, 2003.
Internet: www.akzonobel.com
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| For
further information please contact: |
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|
Oxford BioMedica plc
Professor Alan
Kingsman, Chief Executive |
Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000 |
| City/Financial
Enquiries
Mike
Wort/James Chandler
Beattie Financial |
Tel: +44 (0)20 7398 3300
|
| Scientific/Trade
Enquiries
Sue
Charles, Katja
Stout,
College Hill - Life Sciences |
Tel:
+44 (0)20 7321 3870 |
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