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.

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF) is committed to funding research that develops treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. CRPF also vigorously works to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities through its grants program, paralysis resource center and advocacy efforts.

Since 1982, CRPF has awarded $42.5 million in research grants to the world’s best neuroscientists. CRPF grants are catalytic. It supports new initiatives, takes smart risks, and makes sure its research dollars are spent to do the most good.

In addition, through its Quality of Life Grants program, CRPF has granted close to $3.5 million since 1999 to nonprofit organizations that help improve the daily lives of people living with paralysis, particularly spinal cord injuries.

Innurex is a product comprising Oxford BioMedica’s LentiVector delivery system carrying the RARß2 gene (a subtype of the retinoic acid receptor). The Company acquired exclusive rights to the RARß2 gene from King’s College London where the initial observation that this gene could programme nerve cells to regrow in vitro was made. The product is being investigated extensively in in vivo industry-standard preclinical models of nerve repair in avulsion and spinal cord injury. On 2 June 2004 the company released data showing that Innurex is able to restore function to damaged limbs in a model of avulsion (stretch) injury.

King's is one of the oldest and largest colleges of the University of London with 13,800 undergraduate students and some 5,300 postgraduates in ten schools of study. The College had 24 of its subject-areas awarded the highest rating of 5* and 5 for research quality, demonstrating excellence at an international level. King's is in the top group of five universities for research earnings with income from grants and contracts of more than £93 million (2002-2003) and has an annual turnover of £320 million. King's is a member of the Russell Group, a coalition of the UK's major research-based universities.