17th Feb 2005 13:54
Oxford Biomedica PLC17 February 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 17 FEBRUARY 2005 OXFORD BIOMEDICA AND VIRAGEN REPORT PROGRESS IN AVIAN TRANSGENICS BIOMANUFACTURING Anti-cancer Antibody Expressed in Rooster Oxford, UK: 17 February 2005 - Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB), the leading genetherapy company, today announced progress in the programme of its collaborativepartner Viragen, Inc (AMEX: VRA). Viragen, in collaboration with the RoslinInstitute, is developing avian transgenic biomanufacturing for the purpose ofusing chickens as bioreactors for the efficient and economical production ofhuman pharmaceutical protein-based drugs in their eggs. Viragen reported that an antibody designed to treat malignant melanoma (anti-GD3antibody) has been successfully detected in the blood of a founder transgenicrooster after the antibody was introduced using Oxford BioMedica's proprietaryLentiVector(R) gene delivery system. This achievement is the first in a series ofsteps designed to confirm that a humanised antibody can be produced insubsequent generations of chickens and demonstrate a fully intact structurecapable of its intended therapeutic function. Project Leader, Roslin's Dr. Helen Sang, explained: "We have previouslydemonstrated that a reporter gene can be synthesised in the oviduct of layinghens, the source of egg white proteins. The significance of this new milestoneis that we are now using a humanised anti-cancer antibody which has beenincorporated into the bird's DNA." Dr. Sang also discussed the project's goal to demonstrate tissue-specificexpression in the oviduct: "We have now shown that a protein can be synthesisedin the oviduct of transgenic hens, the source of egg white proteins. Theseresults indicate that we are well advanced towards our stated target oftissue-specific expression of a therapeutic protein - a key milestone in ourdevelopment plan." "These collective results are extremely encouraging and give us good reason tobelieve that additional important milestones could be reported in the comingmonths," stated Viragen's President and CEO, Mr. Charles A. Rice. "We aredeveloping similar work utilising a second therapeutic protein which has globalsales of approximately $2 billion. As we continue to realise these significantmilestone events, the time is approaching for scheduling meetings with theappropriate international regulatory agencies, including the FDA, to determinethe steps that will be required to bring this exciting technology to the market." In other avian transgenic-related news, it was announced that a scientificarticle has been published in Drug Discovery Today (Volume 10, Number 3,February 2005). The article, titled "Transgenic chickens as bioreactors forprotein-based drugs", reports on significant advances to develop aviantransgenics. Co-authored by Dr. Helen Sang*, the article concludes that: "Recent improvementsof transgenic technology for chickens and preliminary results on proteinexpression in birds are encouraging." -Ends- *Authors: Simon G. Lillico, Michael J. McGrew, Adrian Sherman and Helen M. Sang;Roslin Institute For further information, please contact: Oxford BioMedica plc:Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000Nick Woolf, SVP Corporate Strategy Viragen, Inc:Douglas Calder, Director of Communications Tel: +1 954 233-8746 City/Financial Enquiries:Lisa Baderoon/ Mark Court/ Mary-Jane Johnson Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000Buchanan Communications Scientific/Trade Press EnquiriesSue Charles/ Katja Stout/ Ashley Lilly Tel: +44 (0)20 7886 8150Northbank 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 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 development in 2005, 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 approx. 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 and Biogen Idec. Further information is available at http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk 2. LentiVector(R) technology Oxford BioMedica's LentiVector gene delivery technology, based on lentiviralvectors, is arguably the most potent system currently available for treating arange of diseases, particularly those of the central nervous system. OxfordBioMedica has shown that its lentiviral vectors are able to deliver genes withhigh efficiency to a variety of both dividing and non-dividing cells, includingneurons in the brain. Oxford BioMedica has a comprehensive portfolio of US and European patentscovering the LentiVector technology, which supports the LentiVector-basedpipeline and its technology licensing activities. The Company has established aneurotherapy pipeline of product candidates based on the technology, whichincludes ProSavin(R) for Parkinson's disease, RetinoStat(R) for retinopathy,MoNudin(R) for motor neuron disease and Innurex(R) for nerve repair. In addition toits application in therapeutic products, the LentiVector technology is aneffective tool for genomics-based target validation, screening, productionsystems, and the creation of transgenic animals. 3. Viragen, Inc Viragen (AMEX: VRA) is a biotechnology company specialising in the research,development and commercialisation of natural and recombinant protein-based drugsdesigned to treat a broad range of viral and malignant diseases. Theseprotein-based drugs include natural human alpha interferon, monoclonalantibodies and a peptide drug. Viragen's strategy also includes the developmentof Avian Transgenic Technology as a biomanufacturing platform for thelarge-scale, cost-effective production of therapeutic proteins. Viragen is publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange (VRA). Viragen'smajority owned subsidiary, Viragen International, Inc., is publicly traded onthe Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board (VGNI). Viragen's key partners and licensorsinclude: Roslin Institute, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, CancerResearch UK, University of Nottingham (U.K.), University of Miami, America'sBlood Centers and the German Red Cross. For more information, please visit: http://www.viragen.com/ For an Avian Transgenic Technology Profile, please visit: http://www.viragen.com/aviantechprofile.pdf 4. Oxford BioMedica and Viragen collaboration On 5 July 2004, Oxford BioMedica and Viragen entered a license agreement forOxford BioMedica's LentiVector gene delivery technology. The agreement providesViragen with worldwide exclusive rights to utilise the technology in itscollaboration with Roslin Institute (Scotland) to develop Avian TransgenicTechnology as a novel platform for the efficient and economical manufacturing oftherapeutic proteins in chicken eggs. Under the agreement, Viragen is fundingthe development and Oxford BioMedica receives an upfront license fee and annualmaintenance payments. In addition, Oxford BioMedica will receive milestonepayments on the achievement of technical goals by Viragen and royalties oncommercialisation of the Avian Transgenic Technology. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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