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.

Innurex is Oxford BioMedica’s gene-based product for nerve regeneration for the treatment of spinal cord and related injuries. Based on the LentiVector technology, the product carries the gene for a subtype of the retinoic acid receptor (RARß2) that induces nerve cells to regrow by a process known as ‘sprouting’.

Within the field of neurobiology nerve repair has been a long sought goal for the treatment of nerve damage and spinal injury. The objective is to develop treatments that induce nerve cells to regrow and bridge sites of injury, thereby reconnecting the nerve fibres and restoring function. Spinal cord and nerve injuries affect approximately 20,000 people per year in Europe and the United States. There are no effective products to treat these debilitating conditions and prognosis for functional recovery is generally poor. Innurex seeks to address this unmet medical need that could represent a market of up to US$2 billion.

During 2004, Oxford BioMedica reported that Innurex restores function to damaged limbs in a preclinical model of avulsion or stretch injury. These results indicate that Innurex may benefit patients with nerve damage resulting from severe pull or stretch injury, a common consequence of sporting and motor accidents. Today’s presentation at ASGT shows that Innurex may repair nerve damage in spinal cord injuries. Further preclinical studies and clinical planning are underway.

The company’s collaborator on Innurex, King’s College London, was awarded a grant of US$150,000 for the programme in April 2004 from the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. This grant supports studies to explore the use of Innurex in spinal cord injury.

The American Society of Gene Therapy (ASGT) is a professional non-profit medical and scientific organisation dedicated to the understanding, development and application of gene and related cell and nucleic acid therapies and the promotion of professional and public education in the field. ASGT is the largest medical professional organisation representing researchers and scientists dedicated to discovering new gene therapies.