16th Jan 2007 07:01
Oxford Biomedica PLC16 January 2007 For Immediate Release 16 January 2007 Oxford BioMedica Announces publication of AVIAN TRANGENIC Results in Leading U.S. Scientific Journal Oxford, UK - 16 January 2007: Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB), a leading genetherapy company, and its collaborative partners in the field of aviantransgenics, Viragen, Inc. (AMEX: VRA) and Roslin Institute, today announcedthat the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States ofAmerica (PNAS), a leading scientific journal, has published an article profilingthe avian transgenic (OVATM) system's ability to express two therapeuticproteins in the whites of eggs of transgenic hens. The OVATM System is beingdeveloped as a novel, large-scale biomanufacturing alternative, capable ofcost-effectively expressing many types of therapeutic proteins. The article, entitled, "Oviduct-specific expression of two therapeutic proteinsin transgenic hens", reports on the production of two protein drug candidates: ahumanized monoclonal antibody being developed by Viragen for advanced malignantmelanoma and interferon beta-1a, which is currently marketed under two competingbrand names for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), as Avonex(R) (BiogenIdec) and Rebif(R) (Serono). Article Summary: Recent advances in avian transgenesis have led to the possibility of utilizingthe laying hen as a production platform for the large-scale synthesis ofpharmaceutical proteins. Ovalbumin constitutes more than half of the protein inthe white of a laid egg, and expression of the ovalbumin gene is restricted tothe tubular gland cells of the oviduct. Here we describe the use of lentiviralvectors to deliver transgene constructs comprising regulatory sequences from theovalbumin gene designed to direct synthesis of associated therapeutic proteinsto the oviduct. We report the generation of transgenic hens that synthesizefunctional recombinant pharmaceutical protein in a tightly regulatedtissue-specific manner, without any evidence of transgene silencing aftergerm-line transmission. According to Viragen Vice President, Dr. Karen Jervis, who is Managing Directorof Viragen's Scotland operations, additional avian transgenic milestones areexpected shortly: "We are very pleased that the PNAS article chronicles our'proof-of-principle' studies resulting in successful germline transmission oftwo therapeutic proteins, and we expect to report excellent new results with athird protein-drug candidate by the end of this month, assuming positiveconfirmations," stated Dr. Jervis. Professor Alan Kingsman, Oxford BioMedica's Chief Executive Officer commented:"We are delighted by the progress of our collaborative partners towards thecommercialisation of the OVATM System. This technology could address asubstantial need in the biopharmaceutical industry for efficient, high-volumeproduction of biological products." -Ends- For further information, please contact:Oxford BioMedica plc: Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief ExecutiveViragen, Inc: Tel: (954) 233 8746Director of Communications, Doug CalderCity/Financial Enquiries: Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000Lisa Baderoon/ Mark Court/ Mary-Jane Johnson BuchananCommunicationsScientific/Trade Press Enquiries: Tel: +44 (0)20 3008 7550Gemma Bradley/ Holly Griffiths/ 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, GSK and Pfizer. Further information is available at www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk 2. The OVATM System Viragen holds the worldwide exclusive license to commercialize the OVATM System(Avian Transgenic Biomanufacturing) as granted by the Roslin Institute(Scotland). The project is designed to develop the chicken into a pharmaceuticalbioreactor, one that can meet the growing need for protein-based humantherapeutics. Based on the creation of lines of transgenic hens which have beenengineered to produce a target protein in their eggs using the LentiVector(R)gene delivery system licensed from Oxford BioMedica plc, this technology isbeing developed as an efficient and economical alternative to standardbio-manufacturing techniques, having many apparent advantages in ease ofscale-up, lower costs of production and quality of product produced. This project has been funded in part from a grant awarded by the ScottishExecutive's "SPUR Plus Program", designed to support significant technologicaladvances being made in Scotland. To view BBC News reports on OVATM System, please visit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6261427.stm 3. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) PNAS is one of the world's most-cited multidisciplinary scientific serials.Since its establishment in 1914, it continues to publish cutting-edge researchreports, commentaries, reviews, perspectives, colloquium papers, and actions ofthe Academy. Coverage in PNAS spans the biological, physical, and socialsciences. PNAS is published weekly in print, and daily online in PNAS EarlyEdition. For more information, please visit: http://www.PNAS.org 4. Viragen, Inc. With international operations in the U.S., Scotland and Sweden, we are abio-pharmaceutical company engaged in the research, development, manufacture andcommercialization of therapeutic proteins for the treatment of cancers and viraldiseases. Our product and product candidate portfolio includes: Multiferon(R)(multi-subtype, human alpha interferon) which is uniquely positioned in valuableniche indications, such as high-risk malignant melanoma, other niche cancerindications and selected infectious diseases; VG101, a humanized monoclonalantibody that binds selectively to an antigen over-expressed on Stage IVmalignant melanoma tumors; and VG102, a highly novel humanized monoclonalantibody that binds selectively to an antigen that is over-expressed on nearlyall solid tumors. We are also pioneering the development of the OVATM System(Avian Transgenics), with the renowned Roslin Institute, the creators of "Dollythe Sheep", as a revolutionary manufacturing platform for the large-scale,efficient and economical production of human therapeutic proteins andantibodies, by expressing these products in the egg whites of transgenic hens. For more information, please visit: http://www.Viragen.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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