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2004/OB/02
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Oxford
BioMedica Signs LentiVector® Licensing Agreement
with Merck & Co
Oxford
BioMedica announced today that it has signed a licence
agreement for its LentiVector technology with Merck & Co.,
Inc. The agreement allows Merck & Co., Inc. to use
the Company’s proprietary LentiVector gene delivery
system for research activities. Under the terms of the
agreement, Oxford BioMedica will receive an upfront licence
payment and an annual maintenance fee.
Three
issued US patents, of which the most recent was issued
in December
2003, and one granted European patent, support
the Company’s LentiVector technology. The patents include
broad composition of matter and methods of production claims
for lentiviral vector gene delivery systems of both human
and non-human origin. The LentiVector system is a powerful
technology for gene delivery to a wide range of cell and
tissue types. The technology has applications both in therapeutic
products and as a drug discovery tool for target validation
and the creation of targeted disease models. It has also
been shown to substantially enhance the efficiency of making
transgenic birds and mammals.
Commenting
on the news Oxford BioMedica’s Chief Executive,
Prof. Alan Kingsman said “This agreement with
Merck is further endorsement of Oxford BioMedica’s patent
position in the field of lentiviral delivery systems and
the broad utility of the LentiVector technology. We are delighted
to have reached this agreement with Merck”.
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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 some 69 patent
families, which represents one of the
broadest patent estates in the field.
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.
Oxford BioMedica has a wholly owned subsidiary
in San Diego, USA. Oxford BioMedica has
corporate collaborations with Wyeth, Intervet,
Amersham, Arius Research, Kiadis and Viragen.
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| 2. |
LentiVector technology |
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Oxford
BioMedica has three issued US patents for
its LentiVector technology.
These include broad composition of matter
claims and methods of production claims for
lentiviral vector gene delivery systems of
both human and non-human origin. The patents
also cover derivatives of lentiviral vector
systems that, unlike many versions of lentiviral
vectors, have real clinical utility because
of their safety. The Oxford BioMedica team
was the first to construct lentiviral vectors
that contain no viral genes at all, and which
comprise the minimum number of viral components
in the viral particles. It is this minimisation
of the vectors that is the subject of these
patents. This work was done using vectors
based on HIV and Equine Infectious Anaemia
Virus (EIAV), a horse virus that is not linked
to any disease in humans. The EIAV system
is Oxford BioMedica’s system of choice
because of its superior safety profile.
Oxford BioMedica’s LentiVector gene
delivery technology is arguably the most
potent system currently available for
treating diseases of the central nervous
system,
particularly chronic neurodegenerative
disorders. Oxford BioMedica has shown
that minimal lentiviral vectors are able
to
deliver genes to a wide range of dividing
and non-dividing cells, including neurones
in the brain.
The Company has established a neurotherapy
pipeline of product candidates based on
its LentiVector technology, which includes
ProSavin® for Parkinson’s disease,
RetinoStat® for retinopathy, MoNudin® for
motor neuron disease and Innurex® for
nerve repair.
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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
Press Enquiries
Sue
Charles, Katja
Stout,
Northbank Communications |
Tel:
+44 (0)20 7886 8150 |
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