25th Jul 2005 07:00
Oxford Biomedica PLC25 July 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 25 JULY 2005 OXFORD BIOMEDICA IS AWARDED GRANT FOR MONUDIN(R) FROM THE MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASSOCIATION Oxford, UK: 25 July 2005 - Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB), the leading gene therapycompany, announced today that the UK Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association hasawarded a research grant to support preclinical evaluation of MoNuDin for thetreatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the most common form of motorneurone disease. The grant is initially for £350,000, which will fund a keypreclinical efficacy study and support preparations for clinical trials. TheCompany is targeting the start of clinical development in 2006-07. MoNuDin is a novel gene therapy product, which delivers a vascular endothelialgrowth factor (VEGF) gene, a neuroprotective factor, using the Company'sproprietary LentiVector system. A previous preclinical study of MoNuDin showedthat both onset and progression of disease was slowed and that life expectancywas extended by 30%, representing one of the most effective therapies reportedin the field to date. These results were published in May 2004 in Naturemagazine (Volume: 429, Issue: 6990 pp: 413-417). Oxford BioMedica has previously secured financial support for MoNuDin from theUS ALS Association. The MND Association and other US and UK charitableorganisations are considering further sponsorship that could fund initialclinical trials of MoNuDin in ALS patients. ALS causes adult-onset, progressivemotor neuron degeneration in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in paralysisand death three to five years after onset in most patients. There is currentlyno known cure for motor neurone disease, a condition that affects approximately100,000 people in Europe and the USA. Commenting on the grant from the MND Association, Oxford BioMedica's ChiefExecutive, Professor Alan Kingsman said: "We are very pleased to have receivedsponsorship from another leading charity. This grant from the MND Associationprovides further endorsement of MoNuDin's potential as a treatment of ALS, forwhich there is currently no effective therapy. There is considerable interest inthis programme from charities and other organisations, which could lead toadditional financial support". -Ends- For further information, please contact:Oxford BioMedica plc:Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000 The Motor Neurone Disease Association:Sarah Fitzgerald, Head of PR & Media Tel: +44 1604 611 840 City/Financial Enquiries:Lisa Baderoon/ Mark Court/ Mary-Jane JohnsonBuchanan Communications Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000 Scientific/Trade Press Enquiries:Sue Charles/ Katja Stout/ Ashley LillyNorthbank Communications Tel: +44 (0)20 7886 8150 Notes to editors 1. Oxford BioMedicaOxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB) is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in thedevelopment of novel gene-based therapeutics with a focus on the areas ofoncology and neurotherapy. The Company was established in 1995 as a spin outfrom Oxford University, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Oxford BioMedica has core expertise in gene delivery, as well as in-houseclinical, regulatory and manufacturing know-how. In oncology, the pipelineincludes an immunotherapy and a gene therapy in multiple Phase II trials, and apreclinical targeted antibody therapy in collaboration with Wyeth. Inneurotherapy, the Company's lead product is a gene therapy for Parkinson'sdisease, which is expected to enter clinical trials in early 2006, and fourfurther preclinical candidates. The Company is underpinned by over 80 patentfamilies, which represent one of the broadest patent estates in the field. The Company has a staff of approximately 65 split between its main facilities inOxford and its wholly owned subsidiary, BioMedica Inc, in San Diego, California.Oxford BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Wyeth, Intervet, Amersham,Viragen, MolMed and Kiadis; and has licensed technology to a number of companiesincluding Merck & Co, Biogen Idec and Pfizer.Further information is available at http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk 2. MoNuDin(R) and Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisMoNuDin comprises a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene delivered bythe Company's proprietary LentiVector system. The product is designed to beinjected into muscle, where it enters motor neurons via the neuromuscularjunctions. It then travels along the nerves to the spinal cord by a processknown as retrograde transport and mediates its therapeutic effect within thebody of the nerve cells in the spine. Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of related diseasesaffecting the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Amyotrophic LateralSclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is the most common form ofMND. Motor neurons are the nerve cells along which the brain sends instructions,in the form of electrical impulses, to the muscles. Degeneration of the motorneurons leads to weakness and wasting of muscles. This generally occurs in armsor legs initially, some groups of muscles being affected more than others. MNDis generally a steadily progressive disease, but the rate of progression variesgreatly from one person to another. MND can affect any adult at any age but most people who have MND are over theage of 40 and the highest incidence is in the 50-70 age range. Men are affectedslightly more often than women. The precise figures for the incidence and prevalence of MND are still uncertain.In the UK, three people are diagnosed and three people die from MND every day.The average life expectancy of a patient is two to five years from time ofdiagnosis, but half the number of people with MND will die within 14 months ofdiagnosis. The estimated number of people living with MND in the UK is 5,000 atany one time. There are about 100,000 patients in Europe and the USA. 3. The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) AssociationThe MND Association was established in 1979. It provides care and support forpeople with MND and their families, and funds vital research into causes,treatments and a cure for MND. The Association funds 14 Care Centres across theUK - providing co-ordinated care under one roof for people with MND - and plansto expand that number over the next five years. The Association has around 100staff, including 25 regional staff working with volunteers and families affectedby MND out in the community. It has 85 Branches, providing support to peoplelocally, over 2,000 volunteers and 300 Association Visitors. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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