Oxford BioMedica

News / 7 June 2004

2004/OB/10

OXFORD BIOMEDICA ACQUIRES CHIRON PATENTS AND ISSUES SHARES TO CHIRON

Oxford BioMedica (LSE OXB), the leading gene therapy company, announced today that it has signed an agreement with the Chiron Corporation to acquire certain patent families from Chiron’s gene therapy patent portfolio. The agreement includes taking assignment of Chiron’s interest in a license agreement with an undisclosed university. Financial terms have not been disclosed.

Chiron’s patent portfolio contains some early gene therapy technology that complements Oxford BioMedica’s substantial gene therapy patent estate. The technology acquired includes:

1.	The use of human cell lines for the production of gene therapy products
2.	Gene-directed enzyme pro-drug therapy (GDEPT)
3.	The use of the envelope protein of the vesicular stomatis virus (VSV-g) for increasing the ability of gene therapy vectors to transduce a broad range of human cell types

Under a separate agreement also signed today, Chiron has made an equity investment in Oxford BioMedica subscribing for a total of 316,026 ordinary shares of 1p each at 17.23 pence per share.

Commenting on these agreements the Company’s Senior Vice President for Commercial Development, Peter Nolan, said: “We are delighted to have concluded this agreement with Chiron and welcome them as shareholders in the Company. Securing this intellectual property will enhance our competitive position in gene therapy and in the use of our technology in drug discovery.”

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Notes

Oxford BioMedica plc

Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB) is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of novel gene-based therapeutics with a focus on the areas of oncology and neurotherapy. The Company was established in 1995 as a spin out from Oxford University, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

In addition to its technical expertise in gene delivery, Oxford BioMedica has in-house clinical, regulatory and manufacturing know-how. The development pipeline includes two novel anti-cancer products in clinical trials; and two neurotherapy products in advanced preclinical development for Parkinson’s disease and retinopathy. The Company is underpinned by an extensive preclinical and research portfolio and about 70 patent families, which represents one of the broadest patent estates in the field.

The Company has a staff of approx. 65 split between its main facilities in Oxford and its wholly owned subsidiary, BioMedica Inc, in San Diego, California. Oxford BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Wyeth, Intervet, Merck & Co, Amersham and Kiadis.

For further information please contact:
Oxford BioMedica plc Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive	Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000
City/Financial Enquiries Lisa Baderoon/Mark Court Buchanan Communications	Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000
Scientific/Trade Press Enquiries Katja Stout/Ellen Marriage College Hill - Life Sciences	Tel: +44 (0)20 7886 8150

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