Oxford , UK : 15 December 2003 – Oxford BioMedica announced today that interim preclinical data from the Innurex^TM nerve repair programme are being presented by Prof. Malcolm Maden of King’s College London at the 10th International Symposium on Neural Regeneration which is being held at the Asilomar Conference Center , Pacific Grove , California .  The data, which will shortly be sent for peer-reviewed publication, show that Innurex^TM is able to induce nerve regrowth at the site of injury in a model of nerve damage. These results strongly support the technical principle of Innurex^TM, which is designed for nerve repair and the treatment of spinal injury.

 

Within the field of neurobiology nerve repair has been a long sought goal for the treatment of nerve damage and spinal injury. The aim is to induce nerve cells to regrow and bridge sites of injury thereby reconnecting the nerve fibres and restoring function. Results obtained to date by other groups based on different mechanisms of nerve repair have shown only inefficient induction of regrowth of nerves and very limited restoration of function.

 

Innurex^TM is a product comprising Oxford BioMedica’s LentiVector delivery system carrying the RARβ2 gene. The Company acquired exclusive rights to the RARβ2 gene from King’s College London where the initial observation that this gene could programme nerve cells to regrow in vitro was made. The new data are the first in vivo data to come from the Innurex^TM programme and they indicate that Innurex^TM has the potential to be a first-in-class product for nerve repair.

 

Commenting on the results Prof. Maden said “The combination of the RARβ2 gene and the very efficient LentiVector delivery system has produced a high level of axon (nerve) regrowth. There is every chance that this is enough for restoration of function to damaged nerves and the Company should have functional data shortly”.

 

Prof. Alan Kingsman, Oxford BioMedica’s Chief Executive said “The Innurex^TM programme has gone from initial observation to proof of principle in a good animal model in less than two years. This is a remarkable achievement by the King’s team and the Oxford BioMedica staff. Innurex^TM is on course for clinical development within the next 12 months”.

 

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

 

1. Oxford BioMedica

 

Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB) is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of gene-based products for a range of unmet medical needs with an emphasis on new cancer products, which combine novel mechanisms of action with very low side effects, and innovative neurotherapy products, which address large and, in several areas, untapped markets. The products are all protected by multiple patents comprising a total intellectual property portfolio of approximately 70 patent families.

 

In addition to its technical research skill-base, Oxford BioMedica has in-house clinical, regulatory and manufacturing know-how. The development pipeline includes two novel anti-cancer products in clinical trials and a gene-based treatment for Parkinson’s disease, which is in late preclinical studies.

 

TroVax^®, Oxford BioMedica’s lead cancer immunotherapy product, is in Phase II trials for colorectal cancer. A further Phase II trial in Renal cancer is awaiting final approval in the US , having already received approval from the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC). Further Phase II trials are planned for colorectal and breast cancer. MetXia^®, Oxford BioMedica’s lead gene-based cancer therapeutic, is based on a highly engineered retrovirus gene delivery system expressing a specific human cytochrome P450 gene. MetXia is being investigated in a Phase I/II trial in breast cancer, and is awaiting final approval to start further clinical trials in pancreatic cancer, having already received approval from the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC).

 

Oxford BioMedica has a wholly owned subsidiary in San Diego , USA . Oxford BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Wyeth, Intervet, Kiadis, Amersham, Arius Research and Viragen.

 

Further information is available at http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk

 

 

2. King's College London

King's is one of the oldest and largest colleges of the University of London with some 13,400 undergraduate students and some 5,000 postgraduates in ten schools of study.  The College had 24 of its subject-areas awarded the highest rating of 5* and 5 for research quality, demonstrating excellence at an international level.  It is in the top group of five universities for research earnings and has an annual turnover of £320 million and research income from grants and contracts of some £90 million
(2001-2002). King's is a member of the Russell Group, a coalition of the UK 's major research-based universities.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

Oxford BioMedica plc: Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive, +44 (0)1865 783 000

City/financial enquiries: Mike Wort/James Chandler, Beattie Financial, +44 (0)20 7398 3300

Scientific/trade press enquiries: Katja Stout/Sue Charles, Northbank Communications, +44 (0)20 7886 8150