19th Dec 2006 07:01
Oxford Biomedica PLC19 December 2006 For Immediate Release 19 DECEMBER 2006 OXFORD BIOMEDICA EXPANDS LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR LENTIVECTOR(R) TECHNOLOGY WITH MAJOR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY Oxford, UK - 19 December 2006: Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB), a leading genetherapy company, today announced that it has expanded an existing licenceagreement for its LentiVector technology with a major multinationalpharmaceutical company. The amendment broadens the agreement from an annuallicense for use of Oxford BioMedica's gene delivery technology for researchactivities in the USA to a world-wide perpetual license. Under the terms of theamended agreement, Oxford BioMedica will receive a one-time undisclosed paymentfrom the licensee. Further financial details were not disclosed. Oxford BioMedica's lentivirus-based gene delivery technology, known asLentiVector, is one of the most powerful technologies for the delivery of genesto a wide range of cell and tissue types. The LentiVector technology hasapplications both in therapeutic products and as a drug discovery tool fortarget validation and the creation of targeted disease models. Oxford BioMedicahas a comprehensive portfolio of US and European patents that cover thetechnology. The Company has an active licensing programme providing access toits LentiVector technology on a non-exclusive basis primarily. Licensees includeBiogen Idec, Merck & Co and Pfizer. -Ends- For further information, please contact:Oxford BioMedica plc: Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000 Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief ExecutiveCity/Financial Enquiries: Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000 Lisa Baderoon/ Mark Court/ Mary-Jane Johnson BuchananCommunicationsScientific/Trade Press Enquiries: Tel: +44 (0)20 3008 7555 Gemma Bradley/ Susan Yu/ Katja StoutNorthbank Communications Notes to editors 1. Oxford BioMedica Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB) is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in thedevelopment of novel gene-based therapeutics with a focus on oncology andneurotherapy. The Company was established in 1995 as a spin out from OxfordUniversity, 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 two clinical candidates and a preclinical targeted antibody therapy,which is being developed in collaboration with Wyeth. The Company has startedPhase III development of its lead cancer immunotherapy product, TroVax, in renalcancer and multiple Phase II trials in various cancer settings are ongoing orplanned. In neurotherapy, the Company's lead product, ProSavin, is expected toenter clinical trials in Parkinson's disease in 2007. The preclinical pipelineincludes gene-based products for vision loss, motor neuron disease and nerverepair. The Company is underpinned by over 80 patent families, which represent one ofthe broadest patent estates in the field. The Company has a staff ofapproximately 70 split between its main facilities in Oxford and its whollyowned subsidiary, BioMedica Inc, in San Diego, California. Oxford BioMedica hascorporate collaborations with Wyeth, Intervet, Sigma-Aldrich, Viragen, MolMed,Virxsys and Kiadis; and has licensed technology to a number of companiesincluding Merck & Co, Biogen Idec and Pfizer. Further information is available at www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk 2. LentiVector technology Oxford BioMedica's LentiVector gene delivery technology, based on lentiviruses,is arguably the most potent system currently available for treating a range ofdiseases, particularly those of the central nervous system. Oxford BioMedica hasshown that its lentiviral vectors are able to deliver genes with high efficiencyto a variety of both dividing and non-dividing cells, including neurons in thebrain. Oxford BioMedica has three issued US patents and a European patent for itsLentiVector technology. These include broad composition of matter claims andmethods of production claims for lentiviral vector gene delivery systems of bothhuman and non-human origin. The patents also cover derivatives of lentiviralvector systems that, unlike many versions of lentiviral vectors, have realclinical utility because of their safety. The Company has established a neurotherapy pipeline of product candidates basedon its LentiVector technology, which includes ProSavin(R) for Parkinson'sdisease, RetinoStat(R) for retinopathy, MoNudin(R) for motor neuron disease,SMN1-G for spinal muscular atrophy and Innurex(R) for nerve repair. 3. Sigma-Aldrich Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Itsbiochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific andgenomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis ofdisease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technologymanufacturing. The Company has customers in life science companies, universityand government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one millionscientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 35countries and has 7,200 employees providing excellent service worldwide.Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Leadershipin Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning websiteat www.sigma-aldrich.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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