"The establishment of this new Society indicates
that gene therapy is poised to enter the next phase of development,"
said Professor Kingsman. "Gene therapy companies have been
in existence since 1988, but it is only since the industry
has gained credence through the publication of good results
from proven technologies that the Society has been established."
Oxford BioMedica is pioneering the use of
EIAV-based vectors as well as HIV-based vectors in order to
extend its range of lentivirus technologies and explore greater
opportunities in different therapeutic applications. The EIAV
vectors deliver genes to the brain and to other non-dividing
cells as efficiently as the HIV-based vector systems Oxford
BioMedica is currently developing. Oxford BioMedica can target
both types of vector to specific cell types by altering the
viral envelope properties.
Oxford BioMedica's invitation to present
at the first meeting of the Society is in recognition of its
pre-eminence in the field of lentiviral vectors for gene therapy.
In February, the Company acted as advisors to the Recombinant
DNA Advisory Committee of the US National Institute of Health
in its decision making process on new gene therapy protocols
relating to lentiviruses.
Notes to Editors
1. Oxford BioMedica: established in 1995,
specialises in the development and application of gene-based
therapeutics using advanced gene delivery technologies for
the treatment of disease in the areas of: oncology, viral
infection, neurobiology and genetic deficiency. Oxford BioMedica
plc was floated on the UK Alternative Investment Market of
the London Stock Exchange in December 1996. The Company raised
£6 million (before expenses) in a recent placing and rights
issue. These funds will provide the necessary funds for the
continued development of the Group's candidate products.
2. Oxford BioMedica's LentiVector™ and
PEGASUS™ systems can be used to deliver genes effectively
to non-dividing cells in the brain without causing inflammation.
These technologies have applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative
diseases such as Parkinson's disease. The LentiVector™
can also carry anti-HIV genes to the cells of the immune system
for the treatment of AIDS.
3. Further information on Oxford BioMedica
can be obtained from its website: http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk
