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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 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 two candidates in
multiple Phase II trials, and a preclinical
targeted antibody therapy in collaboration
with Wyeth. A Phase III trial in renal cancer
with TroVax, the lead cancer immunotherapy
candidate, is expected to start in the second
half of 2006. In neurotherapy, the Company's
lead product is a gene therapy for Parkinson's
disease, which is expected to enter clinical
development 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,
Virxsys and Kiadis; and has licensed technology
to a number of companies including Merck
& Co, Biogen Idec and Pfizer. |
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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. TroVax has attracted external
support from Cancer Research UK, the US
National Cancer Institute and the UK clinical
trials network, QUASAR. Over 150 patients
have now been treated with TroVax in ten
clinical trials (collectively over 500 doses).
The Company is targeting colorectal cancer
and renal cell carcinoma as lead indications
for the development of TroVax. Renal cell
carcinoma is an indication where TroVax
might achieve a rapid route to product registration.
Oxford BioMedica is starting a Phase III
trial (TRIST – TroVax Renal Immunotherapy
Survival Trial) in 700 patients with advanced
renal cell carcinoma in the second half
of 2006. The TRIST study received a Special
Protocol Assessment from the US Food and
Drug Administration in May 2006. A Phase
II trial in prostate cancer is ongoing and
a trial in breast cancer is due to start
under the auspices of the US Southwest Oncology
Group. |
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