|
2004/OB/12a
|
OXFORD
BIOMEDICA LICENSES LENTIVECTOR® TECHNOLOGY
TO
VIRAGEN FOR AVIAN TRANSGENICS BIOMANUFACTURING
Oxford BioMedica
(LSE: OXB) and Viragen, Inc. (AMEX: VRA) today announced
a license agreement for Oxford BioMedica’s
LentiVector gene delivery technology. The agreement provides
Viragen with worldwide exclusive rights to utilize the proprietary
LentiVector technology in its collaboration with Roslin Institute
(Scotland) to develop Avian Transgenic Technology as a novel
platform for the efficient and economical manufacturing of
therapeutic proteins in chicken eggs. Under the agreement,
Oxford BioMedica receives an upfront license fee and annual
maintenance payments. In addition, Oxford BioMedica will
receive milestone payments on the achievement of technical
goals by Viragen and royalties on commercialisation of the
Avian Transgenic Technology. Further financial details were
not disclosed.
Viragen and Roslin
Institute have conducted preliminary studies evaluating
Oxford BioMedica’s LentiVector technology
which have yielded promising results, demonstrating the ability
to generate transgenic generations with an efficiency on
the order of 10 to 100-fold higher than any previously published
methods.
"Manufacturing
protein-based drugs through an avian transgenic expression
system should offer certain advantages
to traditional production systems – likely in terms
of speed, efficiency and cost," stated Viragen’s
CEO, Mr. Charles A. Rice. "As indicated in a recent
press release, results to date have been exceptional and
warrant our licensing the exclusive rights to the LentiVector
system for our Avian Transgenics Program. We are hopeful
that continuing progress will confirm the commercial significance
of this approach."
Oxford BioMedica’s CEO, Professor Alan Kingsman, added, "Viragen’s
Avian Transgenics Program has made substantial progress over
the past two years and we are delighted that Oxford BioMedica’s
LentiVector technology has contributed to this success. We
look forward to further developments following the signing
of this agreement."
-
ends - |
Return to the News
| Notes
| 1. |
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.
|
| 2. |
LentiVector®
Technology |
| |
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. Oxford BioMedica has three
issued US patents for its LentiVector
technology.
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.
The
technology has broader applications for
genetic modification ranging from drug
discovery and target validation to the
creation of transgenic animals. In Viragen’s
Avian Transgenic Technology, the LentiVector
system is used to create lines of transgenic
hens, which will be engineered to produce
the target protein in their eggs. This
technology is being developed as a cost-effective
and efficient alternative to standard biomanufacturing
techniques.
|
| 3. |
Viragen,
Inc. |
| |
Viragen is a biotechnology
company specializing in the research, development and commercialisation of
natural and recombinant protein-based drugs designed to treat a broad range
of viral and malignant diseases. These protein-based drugs include natural
human alpha interferon, monoclonal antibodies and a peptide drug. Viragen’s
strategy also includes the development of Avian Transgenic Technology as
a biomanufacturing platform for the large-scale, cost-effective production
of therapeutic proteins.
Viragen
is publicly traded on the American Stock
Exchange (VRA). Viragen’s majority
owned subsidiary, Viragen International,
Inc., is publicly traded on the Over-The-Counter
Bulletin Board (VGNI). Viragen’s
key partners and licensors include: Roslin
Institute, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center, Cancer Research UK, University
of Nottingham (U.K.), University of Miami,
America’s Blood Centers and the German
Red Cross.
For an Avian Transgenic Biomanufacturing
Technology Profile, please visit: http://www.Viragen.com/aviantechprofile.pdf
|
| |
| For
further information please contact:
|
|
|
Oxford BioMedica plc
Professor Alan
Kingsman, Chief Executive
|
Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000 |
Viragen, Inc
Douglas Calder,
Director of Communications |
Tel: +1 954 233 8746 |
| 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 |
|
|
|
|
|
Top
of page
Website by College Hill - Life Sciences
|
| |
|
|
