10th Mar 2006 07:01
Oxford Biomedica PLC10 March 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10 MARCH 2006 Oxford BioMedica Plc OXFORD BIOMEDICA LICENSES ITS GENE DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY TO VIRXSYS CORPORATION Oxford, UK - 10 March 2006: Oxford BioMedica Plc (LSE: OXB), the leading genetherapy company and VIRxSYS Corporation (Gaithersburg, Maryland USA) todayannounce a licence agreement for Oxford BioMedica's VSV-G viral envelopetechnology for gene delivery. The agreement provides VIRxSYS with rights toutilise this technology in the production process of VIRxSYS's anti-HIV/AIDSproduct VRX496 which is currently in Phase II trials. Under the agreement,Oxford BioMedica receives an upfront licence fee and annual maintenancepayments. In addition, Oxford BioMedica will receive payments on the achievementof clinical and regulatory milestones by VIRxSYS and product royalties. Furtherfinancial details were not disclosed. Oxford BioMedica's CEO, Professor Alan Kingsman, said: "We are delighted towelcome VIRxSYS to the growing list of Oxford BioMedica's technology licensees.This agreement further underlines the breadth and strength of our proprietarygene delivery technologies." -Ends- For further information, please contact:Oxford BioMedica plc:Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000City/Financial Enquiries:Lisa Baderoon/ Mark Court/ Mary-Jane Johnson Buchanan Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000CommunicationsScientific/Trade Press Enquiries:Sue 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 trials in 2006, and four furtherpreclinical candidates. The Company is underpinned by over 80 patent families,which represent one of the broadest patent estates in the field. The Company has a staff of approximately 70 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,Sigma-Aldrich, Viragen, MolMed and Kiadis; and has licensed technology to anumber of companies including Merck & Co, Biogen Idec and Pfizer. Further information is available at www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk 2. VIRxSYS Corporation VIRxSYS' mission is to become the leading technology company for deliveringbiologic and gene therapies into cells. The Company has created a lentiviralgene delivery technology which is the critical link to delivering geneticmedicines for the treatment of a broad range of life-threatening diseases suchas HIV/AIDS and cancer. The Company expects that its genetic medicines will provide dramaticallyimproved patient outcomes, including disease remission and possibly permanentcures. While VIRxSYS' initial focus is on cellular therapies for HIV/AIDS andvarious cancers, the Company's numerous collaborations include work towardsvaccines for those terrible diseases. Eventually, the Company intends to applythe Company's technology to other diseases as well as possibly to counteringbioterrorism and functional genomics. Delivery of the Company's products will initially use ex-vivo cell processing,followed in time by in-vivo injectables and other techniques for the mosteffective delivery to the targeted cells and diseases. VIRxSYS plans to selectstrategic partners to significantly advance the Company's research anddevelopment and manufacturing scalability. In addition, such partners may alsobe used for sales, marketing and delivery of the Company's products. Further information is available at http://www.VIRxSYS.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Oxford Biomedica