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 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, Viragen, MolMed and Kiadis; and has licensed technology to a number of companies including Merck & Co, Biogen Idec and Pfizer.

MetXia is Oxford BioMedica’s lead gene-based cancer therapeutic. The product comprises a highly engineered retrovirus that delivers a specific human cytochrome P450 gene to tumour cells. The enzyme encoded by the P450 gene activates the commonly used cancer chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide (CPA), to a form that destroys cells. MetXia converts the tumour into a ‘drug factory’, enabling local production of the anti-tumour, cytotoxic derivative of CPA. MetXia is potentially useful in the treatment of all solid tumours and their metastases, particularly those where cyclophosphamide has proven efficacy.

The initial indication for the development of MetXia is the treatment of pancreatic cancer through direct administration of both MetXia and CPA to the tumour. Published data from trials with locally administered CPA and encapsulated cells carrying the P450 enzyme have validated the concept of treating pancreatic cancer with this approach. MetXia uses Oxford BioMedica’s gene therapy technology to deliver the P450 gene efficiently to pancreatic tumour cells.

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States with over 30,000 deaths attributable to this disease annually. Survival time is generally less than one year. Treatment options are limited, although chemotherapy is the mainstay for locally advanced, unresectable tumours. Since cancer of the pancreas has the shortest median survival time of all cancer types, there is a critical unmet need for novel, safe and effective treatments.