Oxford, UK: 27 May 2004 – Oxford BioMedica (LSE:OXB.L), the leading gene therapy company, announces today that the Company’s scientists, in collaboration with scientists from VIB (the Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology) in Leuven, Belgium, have published the results of pioneering research that could lead to a treatment for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the most prevalent form of motor neuron disease.  The results, published in today’s Nature magazine (Volume: 429, Issue: 6990 pp: 413-417), are based on preclinical studies and show that using a novel gene therapy approach, both onset and progression of disease is slowed, and that life expectancy is extended by 30%, thereby achieving one of the most effective therapies reported in the field to date.

ALS causes adult-onset, progressive motor neuron degeneration in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in paralysis and death three to five years after onset in most patients. There is currently no known cure for motor neuron disease, a condition that affects approximately 100,000 people in Europe and the US .

The research was led by Dr Mimoun Azzouz, Director of Neurobiology at Oxford BioMedica, in collaboration with the VIB department for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy in Belgium . The novel gene therapy product – MoNuDin, delivers a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene, a neuroprotective factor, using the Company’s proprietary LentiVector system. The product is injected into muscle and mediates its therapeutic effect within the nerve cells of the spine. It has previously been reported that reduced levels of VEGF predispose mice and humans to ALS, but this is the first assessment of its therapeutic potential. These results show that a single injection of a VEGF-expressing lentiviral vector into various muscles delayed onset and slowed progression in an animal model of ALS.  Treatment was also found to increase the life expectancy of mice by 30 per cent.

Dr Brian Dickie, Director of Research Development at the Motor Neurone Disease Association, said: “These findings reflect current optimism amongst researchers that gene therapy represents a viable strategy for the treatment of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, overcoming problems of access of drugs to the central nervous system, which can occur with more conventional approaches to treatment.”

Commenting on the results, Oxford BioMedica’s Chief Executive, Professor Alan Kingsman said: “Although these results published in Nature are still at a preclinical stage, the data suggests that VEGF gene therapy could provide an effective treatment for ALS, a debilitating disease that leads to premature death and for which there is no current cure and current treatments are ineffective. These results also bode well for our spinal muscular atrophy product, which employs a similar technology.”

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Notes to editors:

1. Oxford BioMedica

Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB) is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of novel gene-based therapeutics with a focus on the areas of oncology and neurotherapy. The Company was established in 1995 as a spin out from Oxford University , and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

In addition to its technical expertise in gene delivery, Oxford BioMedica has in-house clinical, regulatory and manufacturing know-how. The development pipeline includes two novel anti-cancer products in clinical trials; and two neurotherapy products in advanced preclinical development for Parkinson’s disease and retinopathy. The Company is underpinned by an extensive preclinical and research portfolio and about 70 patent families, which represents one of the broadest patent estates in the field.

The Company has a staff of ~65 split between its main facilities in Oxford and its wholly owned subsidiary, BioMedica Inc, in San Diego , California . Oxford BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Wyeth, Intervet, Merck & Co, Amersham and Kiadis.  Further information is available at http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk

2. MoNuDin™ and Motor Neuron Disease

MoNuDin comprises a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene delivered by the Company’s proprietary LentiVector system. The product is designed to be injected into muscle, where it enters motor neurons via the neuromuscular junctions. It then travels along the nerves to the spinal cord by a process known as retrograde transport and mediates its therapeutic effect within the body of the nerve cells in the spine.

Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of related diseases affecting the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons are the nerve cells along which the brain sends instructions, in the form of electrical impulses, to the muscles. Degeneration of the motor neurons leads to weakness and wasting of muscles. This generally occurs in arms or legs initially, some groups of muscles being affected more than others. MND is generally a steadily progressive disease, but the rate of progression varies greatly from one person to another.

MND can affect any adult at any age but most people who have MND are over the age of 40 and the highest incidence is in the 50-70 age range. Men are affected slightly more often than women.

The precise figures for the incidence and prevalence of MND are still uncertain. In the UK , three people are diagnosed and three people die from MND every day. The average life expectancy of a patient is two to five years from time of diagnosis, but half the number of people with MND will die within 14 months of diagnosis. The estimated number of people living with MND in the UK is 5,000 at any one time. There are about 100,000 patients in Europe and the US .

3.  The Motor Neurone Disease Association

The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association is the only national charity working on behalf of people with MND in England , Wales and Northern Ireland . It provides advice and support to people affected by MND and funds and promotes research into the disease. The charity has its national headquarters in Northampton and over 80 branches run by volunteers nationwide. Further information can be found at www.mndassociation.org.

For more information about MND, the MND Association or to interview people living with the disease contact Gayle Sweet, Head of PR & Media on 07831 349382 or Richard Green, Director of Communications on 07960 941070.