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 enter clinical trials in early 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.

TroVax is Oxford BioMedica’s leading cancer immunotherapy product. It is designed specifically to stimulate an anti-cancer immune response and has potential application in most solid tumour types. TroVax targets the tumour antigen 5T4, which is broadly distributed throughout a wide range of solid tumours. The presence of 5T4 is correlated with poor prognosis. The product consists of a poxvirus (MVA) gene transfer system, which delivers the gene for 5T4 and stimulates a patient’s body to produce an anti-5T4 immune response. This immune response destroys tumour cells carrying the 5T4 protein.

In Phase I/II trials in late stage colorectal cancer patients, TroVax was safe and well tolerated; patients mounted an anti-5T4 immune response; and the immune response correlated, with high significance, to time to disease progression, which translated into a correlation with improved overall survival.

Four Phase II trials are underway. Positive initial data from trials investigating TroVax in colorectal cancer in combination with first line standard of care treatment and as a (neo) adjuvant to surgery were released in March 2005. The primary endpoints of safety and immunological responses were achieved. In the two trials of TroVax alongside chemotherapy, the secondary endpoint of tumour response rate exceeded expectation.

A further Phase II trial is ongoing in renal cell carcinoma, and the US National Cancer Institute, through the Southwest Oncology Group, is planning a Phase II trial in breast cancer.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology is the world's leading professional organisation representing physicians who treat people with cancer. ASCO's members set the standard for patient care worldwide and lead the fight for more effective cancer treatments, increased funding for clinical and translational research, and, ultimately, cures for the many different cancers that strike millions of people around the world every year.