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2003/OB/20
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Oxford
BioMedica Reports Promising Preclinical Results with MoNuDin™
in the Treatment of Motor Neuron Disease
Oxford
BioMedica announced today that it is presenting the first
preclinical data from its motor neuron disease programme at
two consecutive conferences: the 11th Congress of the European
Society on Human Gene Transfer and Therapy held in Edinburgh,
UK, on 13-17 November; and the 14th International Symposium
on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Motor Neuron Disease
held in Milan, Italy, on 17-19 November 2003. Drs. Nick Mazarakis
and Mimoun Azzouz, from the Company’s neurobiology group,
will present data showing that the MoNuDin programme has achieved
a major technical milestone. In an industry standard animal
model of motor neuron disease, treatment with MoNuDin resulted
in significant motor (movement) improvement, a substantial
delay in the onset of disease and increased survival time.
MoNuDin
comprises a neuroprotective gene delivered by the Company’s
proprietary LentiVector system. The product is designed to
be injected into muscle, but mediates its therapeutic effect
within the nerve cells of the spine. There is currently no
known cure for motor neuron disease, a condition that affects
approximately 100,000 people in Europe and the US. Oxford
BioMedica’s novel programme is supported by the largest
US charitable organisation for this condition, the Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association. The ground breaking technology
employed in MoNuDin is also used in the Company’s spinal
muscular atrophy (SMA) programme. The Company estimates that,
if successful, these two products could reach markets in excess
of $300 million per annum.
Commenting
on the presentations , Oxford BioMedica’s Chief Executive,
Prof. Alan Kingsman said “The Company’s neurobiology
programme goes from strength to strength. These new data pave
the way for MoNuDin to enter clinical development on schedule
and, in addition, they bode well for the SMA programme”.
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| Notes
| 1. |
Oxford
BioMedica plc |
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Oxford
BioMedica (LSE: OXB) is a biopharmaceutical
company specialising in the development
of gene-based products for a range of unmet
medical needs with an emphasis on new cancer
products, which combine novel mechanisms
of action with very low side effects, and
innovative neurotherapy products, which
address large and, in several areas, untapped
markets. The products are all protected
by multiple patents comprising a total intellectual
property portfolio of approximately 70 patent
families.
In
addition to its technical research skill-base,
Oxford BioMedica has in-house clinical,
regulatory and manufacturing know-how. The
development pipeline includes two novel
anti-cancer products in clinical trials
and a gene-based treatment for Parkinson’s
disease, which is in late preclinical studies.
TroVax®,
Oxford BioMedica’s lead cancer immunotherapy
product, is in Phase II trials for colorectal
cancer. Further Phase II trials are planned
for breast and renal cancer. MetXia®,
Oxford BioMedica’s lead gene-based
cancer therapeutic, is based on a highly
engineered retrovirus gene delivery system
expressing a specific human cytochrome P450
gene. MetXia is being investigated in a
Phase I/II trial in breast cancer, and is
scheduled to start further clinical trials
in pancreatic cancer.
Oxford
BioMedica has a wholly owned subsidiary
in San Diego, USA. Oxford BioMedica has
corporate collaborations with Wyeth, Intervet,
Kiadis, Amersham, Arius Research and Viragen.
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| 2. |
MoNuDin™
and Motor Neuron Disease |
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MoNuDin
comprises a neuroprotective gene delivered
by the Company’s proprietary LentiVector
system. The product is designed to be injected
into muscle, where it enters motor neurons
via the neuromuscular junctions. It then
travels along the nerves to the spinal cord
by a process known as retrograde transport
and then mediates its therapeutic effect
within the body of the nerve cells in the
spine.
Motor
Neuron Disease (MND) is the name given to
a group of related diseases affecting the
motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
Motor neurons are the nerve cells along
which the brain sends instructions, in the
form of electrical impulses, to the muscles.
Degeneration of the motor neurons leads
to weakness and wasting of muscles. This
generally occurs in arms or legs initially,
some groups of muscles being affected more
than others. MND is generally a steadily
progressive disease, but the rate of progression
varies greatly from one person to another.
MND
can affect any adult at any age but most
people who have MND are over the age of
40 and the highest incidence is in the 50-70
age range. Men are affected slightly more
often than women.
The
precise figures for the incidence and prevalence
of MND are still uncertain. In the US, more
than 5,600 people are diagnosed with MND
each year. As many as 30,000 Americans may
currently be affected by MND and the average
life expectancy of a patient is two to five
years from time of diagnosis. The estimated
number of people with MND in the UK is up
to 5,000.
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| 3.
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The
US ALS Association |
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Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s
disease (Lou Gehrig was a Yankee Hall of
Famer who died of ALS in 1939) is the most
prevalent form of motor neuron disease.
The ALS Association in the US is the largest
private source of funding for ALS-specific
scientific research in the world, seeking
to identify the cause, means of prevention,
and cure for ALS. The ALS Association has
some 82 active scientific research projects
in its portfolio representing a total commitment
of $12 million.
Further
information on the ALS Association is available
at http://www.alsa.org |
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| For
further information please contact:
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Oxford BioMedica plc
Professor Alan
Kingsman, Chief Executive
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Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000 |
| City/Financial
Enquiries
Mike
Wort/James Chandler
Beattie Financial |
Tel: +44 (0)20 7398 3300
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| Scientific/Trade
Enquiries
Sue
Charles, Katja
Stout,
College Hill - Life Sciences |
Tel:
+44 (0)20 7321 3870 |
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