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2005/OB/10
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OXFORD
BIOMEDICA PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2004
Oxford
BioMedica (LSE: OXB), the leading gene therapy company,
today announces its preliminary
results for the year ended 31 December 2004. Highlights:
Oncology
- TroVax:
Phase II results in colorectal cancer alongside chemotherapy
exceeded expectations, demonstrating immune responses in
all patients and clinical benefit in the majority. Announced
on 2 March 2005
- TroVax: Phase I/II follow-up analysis showed a highly significant
correlation between immune responses and time to disease
progression
- TroVax: Phase II trial in renal cell carcinoma commenced
in the United States
- TroVax: commercial manufacture established with over 22,000
doses produced
- TroVax: plans for registration trials to be discussed with
the FDA imminently
- Anti-5T4 targeted antibody: Wyeth completed its preclinical
evaluation and clinical trials are under consideration
- MetXia: Phase I rolling to Phase II trial in pancreatic cancer
underway
Neurotherapy
- ProSavin:
preclinical results showed almost complete recovery
in movement behaviour in Parkinson's disease
- ProSavin:
regulatory discussions ongoing prior to formal
submissions for clinical trials
- MoNuDin:
preclinical results demonstrated a highly significant
increase in
life expectancy in ALS, published in
Nature
- SMN-1G:
preclinical results showed a statistically significant
improvement in survival in spinal muscular atrophy,
published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation
- Innurex:
preclinical results showed restoration of limb function
in avulsion or stretch
injury
Technology licensing
- Four
technology licensing agreements signed during 2004
and another since the year end, generating sustainable
revenue
- Merck & Co
and Biogen Idec licensed the LentiVector technology for
research use
- Viragen
licensed the LentiVector technology for biomanufacturing
using avian transgenics
- MolMed
licensed the retroviral ex vivo gene delivery technology
for therapeutic applications
Financial
-
Revenue for the year ended 31 December 2004 increased 34
per cent to £0.5 million (2003: £0.4 million)
reflecting growing income from licensing
-
Loss before tax and exceptional items for the year reduced
to £11.1 million (2003: £12.7 million)
-
Operating expenses for the year were essentially unchanged
at £13.5 million (2003: £13.7 million)
-
Cash and short term investments at 31 December 2004 of £22.4
million (2003: £31.8 million)
- Cash resources sufficient to support development activities
into 2007, before taking account of new licensing agreements
Board appointment
- Nick
Woolf, Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategy, appointed
to the Board as an executive director on 3 March
2005
Commenting on the results, Oxford BioMedica's Chief
executive, Professor Alan Kingsman said: "We have made
good progress during 2004 in both product development and
licensing. In particular, the recent successful Phase II
results with TroVax have confirmed the potential for our
lead product. The value of our technology platforms is also
becoming evident. In 2004 and since the year end, we have
secured five technology licensing deals, which are generating
growing and sustainable revenue. More deals on technology
and products are expected. At the same time, we are moving
TroVax towards registration trials and taking the lead neurotherapy
products towards clinical development. With our solid cash
position, we are well placed to deliver on our objectives.
We look forward to the coming year as our products and technologies
advance towards commercialisation."
Chairman's
and Chief Executive's Report plus Financial Information. -
ends -
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Notes
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Oxford
BioMedica |
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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.
Oxford
BioMedica has core expertise in gene
delivery, as well as in-house clinical,
regulatory and manufacturing know-how.
In oncology, the pipeline includes an immunotherapy
and a gene therapy in multiple Phase II
trials, and a preclinical targeted antibody
therapy in collaboration with Wyeth. In
neurotherapy, the Company’s lead
product is a gene therapy for Parkinson’s
disease, which is expected to start clinical
trials in 2006, and four further preclinical
candidates. The Company is underpinned
by over 80 patent families, which represent
one of the broadest patent estates in the
field.
The
Company has a staff of approximately
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, Amersham, Viragen,
MolMed and Kiadis; and has licensed technology
to a number of companies including Merck & Co
and Biogen Idec.
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further information please contact:
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Oxford BioMedica plc
Professor Alan
Kingsman, Chief Executive |
Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000 |
| City/Financial
Enquiries
Lisa
Baderoon/Mark
Court/Mary-Jane
Johnson
Buchanan Communications |
Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000
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Scientific/Trade
Press Enquiries
Sue
Charles, Katja
Stout, Ashley
Lilly
College Hill - Life Sciences |
Tel:
+44 (0)20 7886 8150 |
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