Oxford Biomedica PLC-License Agreement
RNS Number:0542D
Oxford Biomedica PLC
17 September 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2004
OXFORD BIOMEDICA SIGNS LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL,
BOSTON UNIVERSITY AND DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
Oxford, UK - 16 September 2004: Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB), the cancer and
neurobiological gene therapy company, announced today that it has signed an
agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University and Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute extending the field of Oxford BioMedica's exclusive access to
the family of cytochrome P450 enzymes in cancer gene therapy. The P450 enzyme is
used in Oxford BioMedica's novel cancer gene therapy product, MetXia(R). The
extension of the license covers the development of MetXia as a treatment for
pancreatic cancer.
Under a separate agreement also signed today, Massachusetts General Hospital,
Boston University and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have subscribed for a total
of 352,887 ordinary shares of 1p each at 15.78 pence per share.
The P450 enzyme is naturally expressed in the liver and activates the
chemotherapeutic drug cyclophosphamide. By delivering a specific P450 gene,
MetXia promotes activation of cyclophosphamide directly in the tumour and
thereby enhances its potency as an anti-tumour treatment. Oxford BioMedica
licensed the rights to the P450 enzyme for cancer gene therapy from
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University and Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute in 1997 and extended the agreement previously in 2000.
Oxford BioMedica has demonstrated proof of concept with MetXia in two Phase I/II
trials in patients with accessible tumours, primarily in breast cancer. In April
2004, the Company reported that recruitment had started in a Phase I trial,
rolling into a Phase II trial in patients with pancreatic cancer. The safety
stage of this trial is on-track to complete by the end of the year.
-Ends-
For further information, please contact:
Oxford BioMedica plc:
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Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000
Nick Woolf, SVP Corporate Strategy
City/Financial Enquiries:
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Lisa Baderoon/ Mark Court/ Mary-Jane Johnson:
Buchanan Communications Tel: +44 (0) 7466 5000
Scientific/Trade Press Enquiries:
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Sue Charles, Katja Stout: Northbank Communications Tel: +44 (0)20 7886 8150 |
