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, Biogen Idec and Pfizer.

MoNuDin comprises a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene delivered by the Company’s proprietary LentiVector system. The product is designed to be injected into muscle, where it enters motor neurons via the neuromuscular junctions. It then travels along the nerves to the spinal cord by a process known as retrograde transport and mediates its therapeutic effect within the body of the nerve cells in the spine.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of related diseases affecting the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is the most common form of MND. Motor neurons are the nerve cells along which the brain sends instructions, in the form of electrical impulses, to the muscles. Degeneration of the motor neurons leads to weakness and wasting of muscles. This generally occurs in arms or legs initially, some groups of muscles being affected more than others. MND is generally a steadily progressive disease, but the rate of progression varies greatly from one person to another.

MND can affect any adult at any age but most people who have MND are over the age of 40 and the highest incidence is in the 50-70 age range. Men are affected slightly more often than women.

The precise figures for the incidence and prevalence of MND are still uncertain. In the UK, three people are diagnosed and three people die from MND every day. The average life expectancy of a patient is two to five years from time of diagnosis, but half the number of people with MND will die within 14 months of diagnosis. The estimated number of people living with MND in the UK is 5,000 at any one time. There are about 100,000 patients in Europe and the USA.