Oxford BioMedica

Established in 1995 as a spin out from Oxford University, Oxford BioMedica plc specialises in the development of novel gene-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, neuro-degenerative disease and other disorders with major unmet clinical needs. The development pipeline includes two novel anti-cancer products in clinical trials and a gene therapy treatment for Parkinson's disease, which is in late preclinical studies. This is underpinned by a broad research pipeline and 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.

BioMedica's lead product TroVax^® is an anti-cancer therapeutic vaccine expected to be useful against a broad range of tumour types. Two Phase I/II trials with TroVax have been completed in the UK in late-stage colorectal cancer patients. Following these successful Phase I/II trials, TroVax has entered two Phase II trials in Stage IV colorectal cancer patients receiving 5FU plus either oxaliplatin or irinotecan. The product is also on target to enter further trials in colorectal, renal and breast cancer. The renal and breast cancer trials are to be conducted in the United States under an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. Data from the first TroVax Phase II trial is expected to be available by the end of 2003, in readiness for Phase III trials in colorectal cancer.

MetXia^® is Oxford BioMedica's lead gene-based cancer therapeutic. The product is based on a highly engineered retrovirus gene delivery system expressing a specific human cytochrome P450 gene. MetXia converts the tumour into a 'drug factory', enabling increased local production of the anti-tumour, cytotoxic derivative of the pro-drug cyclophosphamide. MetXia is potentially useful in the treatment of all solid tumours and their metastases, particularly those where cyclophosphamide is commonly used. MetXia is being investigated in a Phase I/II trial in breast cancer, and regulatory submissions are under review for trials in pancreactic cancer.

Oxford BioMedica is headquartered in Oxford, UK and has a wholly-owned subsidiary in San Diego, USA. BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Wyeth, IDM, Intervet, Aliga Pharmaceuticals, Amersham, Arius Research and Viragen.