OXFORD BIOMEDICA PLC

Oxford BioMedica announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Modex Therapeutics S.A. of Lausanne ("Modex") that will give Modex access to Oxford BioMedica's LentiVectorT technology. Modex will use the Oxford BioMedica technology to develop novel cell-based therapies, the first of which is planned for the treatment of insulin dependent diabetes, in combination with its own proprietary encapsulated cell systems

The number of people suffering from diabetes will more than double from 140 to 300 million in the next 25 years if current trends continue according to recent predictions by the World Health Organisation. This projected increase will be the result of population ageing and growth, unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. The current worldwide market for diabetes medications is currently over $2 billion and is predicted to grow at an annual rate in the region of 9%.

Modex' therapeutic implants for diabetes will contain glucose-responsive, insulin-producing beta cell lines. The cells are surrounded by a membrane that allows exchange of nutrients and cell products while preventing host immune recognition of the implant. Production of insulin in implants like these could replace the daily injections of insulin that diabetics have to endure to regulate their condition. Oxford BioMedica will supply its LentiVector technologies to deliver the gene constructs to the encapsulated cells for long-term production of insulin.

Professor Alan Kingsman, Oxford BioMedica's Chief Executive commented, "Modex Therapeutics is a good partner for us as it has an excellent position in the cell therapy field. This new approach to partnering, which uniquely brings together the intellectual property and 'know-how' of leading biotechnology companies, allows Oxford BioMedica to share in new revenue streams that it could not develop as rapidly from its own resources. In this instance we have achieved a consolidation of technologies to open up a completely new product opportunity. This collaboration further enhances the importance of our gene delivery systems to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide."

Jacques Essinger, the Chief Executive of Modex Therapeutics, commented "Oxford BioMedica is a leader in gene delivery based on lentivirus technology. LentiVector offers long-term, stable, gene expression for our cell-based platform technology. We expect to use these vectors for this and our other products in development."

 

Notes to Editors 1. Oxford BioMedica: Established in 1995, the Company 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, cardiovascular disease and genetic deficiency. Oxford BioMedica plc was floated on the UK Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 1996. 2. Modex Therapeutics S.A. is a private venture-funded biotechnology company based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Modex specialises in encapsulated cell-based therapies that can be implanted into the body to treat chronic disorders.