Oxford Biomedica Regulatory News (OXB)

9 May 2005 07:01

Oxford Biomedica PLC09 May 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9 MAY 2005 OXFORD BIOMEDICA RECEIVES EUROPEAN PATENT FOR TROVAX(R) COVERING 5T4 TUMOUR ANTIGEN-TARGETED IMMUNOTHERAPY Oxford, UK: 9 May 2005 - Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB), the leading gene therapycompany, today announced that the European Patent Office has granted a keypatent (No. EP1036091), that provides broad protection for Oxford BioMedica'slead product, TroVax. This is one of several granted and pending patents thatprotect the Company's ownership of the 5T4 tumour antigen. The granted patentcovers immunotherapy products directed against 5T4 and includes specific claimsto the use of viral delivery systems in 5T4-targeted vaccines. 5T4 is a tumour associated antigen that is expressed on a wide range of tumourtypes. A number of published immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated thatthere is a high incidence of 5T4 expression on colorectal cancer, renal cellcarcinoma and breast cancer, amongst others. 5T4 expression is frequentlycorrelated with poor prognosis and metastatic spread. Overall, 5T4 is present onmore than 75% of human solid tumours, yet it is not found on any essentialorgans. These characteristics make 5T4 an ideal target for immunotherapytreatment in a wide range of cancer types. Commenting on the issued patent Oxford BioMedica's Chief Executive, ProfessorAlan Kingsman said: "The newly granted patent, together with several othergranted and pending patents, provide protection for our lead product, TroVax, aswell as next generation cancer vaccines based on the 5T4 antigen. This positionsOxford BioMedica as one of the leading players in the emerging field of cancerimmunotherapy. TroVax has potential utility as a treatment for most solidstumours, hence, the potential to be a major commercial opportunity for theCompany." -Ends- For further information, please contact:Oxford BioMedica plc:Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000 City/Financial Enquiries:Lisa Baderoon/ Mark Court/ Mary-Jane JohnsonBuchanan Communications Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000 Scientific/Trade Press EnquiriesSue Charles/ Katja Stout/ Ashley LillyNorthbank Communications Tel: +44 (0)20 7886 8150 Notes to editors: 1. Oxford BioMedicaOxford 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 early 2006, and fourfurther preclinical candidates. The Company is underpinned by over 80 patentfamilies, which represent one of the broadest patent estates in the field. The Company has a staff of approximately 65 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, Amersham,Viragen, MolMed and Kiadis; and has licensed technology to a number of companiesincluding Merck & Co and Biogen Idec. Further information is available at www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk. 2. TroVax(R) cancer immunotherapyTroVax is Oxford BioMedica's leading cancer immunotherapy product. It isdesigned specifically to stimulate an anti-cancer immune response and haspotential application in most solid tumour types. TroVax targets the tumourantigen 5T4, which is broadly distributed throughout a wide range of solidtumours. The presence of 5T4 is correlated with poor prognosis. The productconsists of a poxvirus (MVA) gene transfer system, which delivers the gene for5T4 and stimulates a patient's body to produce an anti-5T4 immune response. Thisimmune response destroys tumour cells carrying the 5T4 protein. Two Phase I/II trials with TroVax have been completed in the UK in late stagecolorectal cancer patients. The results showed that the product is safe; thatpatients mount an anti-5T4 immune response; and that the immune responsecorrelates, with high significance, to time to disease progression, whichtranslates into a correlation with improved overall survival. Four Phase II trials are underway. Positive initial data from trialsinvestigating TroVax in colorectal cancer in combination with first linestandard of care treatment and as a (neo) adjuvant to surgery were released on 2March 2005. A further Phase II trial is ongoing in renal cell carcinoma, and theUS National Cancer Institute, through the Southwest Oncology Group, is planningan additional Phase II trial in breast cancer. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange