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2006/OB/04
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OXFORD BIOMEDICA
LICENSES ITS GENE DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY TO VIRXSYS CORPORATION
Oxford
BioMedica (LSE: OXB), the leading gene therapy company,
and VIRxSYS Corporation
(Gaithersburg, Maryland USA) today announce a licence agreement
for Oxford BioMedica’s VSV-G viral envelope technology
for gene delivery. The agreement provides VIRxSYS with rights
to utilise this technology in the production process of VIRxSYS’s
anti-HIV/AIDS product VRX496 which is currently in Phase
II trials. Under the agreement, Oxford BioMedica receives
an upfront licence fee and annual maintenance payments. In
addition, Oxford BioMedica will receive payments on the achievement
of clinical and regulatory milestones by VIRxSYS and product
royalties. Further financial details were not disclosed.
Oxford BioMedica’s CEO, Professor Alan Kingsman, said: “We
are delighted to welcome VIRxSYS to the growing list of Oxford
BioMedica’s technology licensees. This agreement further
underlines the breadth and strength of our proprietary gene
delivery technologies.”
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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 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
70 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, Sigma-Aldrich,
Viragen, MolMed and Kiadis;
and has licensed technology to a number of
companies including Merck & Co, Biogen
Idec and Pfizer.
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| 2 |
VIRxSYS Corporation
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VIRxSYS’ mission
is to become the leading technology company for delivering biologic
and gene therapies into cells. The
Company
has created a lentiviral gene delivery technology
which is the critical link to delivering
genetic medicines for the treatment of a broad range
of life-threatening diseases such as HIV/AIDS
and cancer. The Company expects that its genetic medicines will provide dramatically
improved patient outcomes, including disease remission and possibly
permanent cures. While VIRxSYS' initial focus is on cellular therapies
for HIV/AIDS and various cancers, the Company's numerous collaborations
include work towards vaccines for those terrible diseases. Eventually,
the Company intends to apply the Company's technology to other diseases
as well as possibly to countering bioterrorism and functional genomics.
Delivery of the Company's products will initially use ex-vivo cell
processing, followed in time by in-vivo injectables and other techniques
for the most effective delivery to the targeted cells and diseases.
VIRxSYS plans to select strategic partners to significantly advance
the Company's research and development and manufacturing scalability.
In addition, such partners may also be used for sales, marketing
and delivery of the Company's products.
Further information is available at
http://www.VIRxSYS.com |
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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 |
Scientific/Trade
Press Enquiries
Katja Stout/Gemma
Bradley
College Hill - Life Sciences |
Tel:
+44 (0)20 7886 8150 |
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