Data on RetinoStat
Oxford Biomedica PLC
06 May 2003
OXFORD BIOMEDICA AND THE INSTITUTE OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
PRESENT PRECLINICAL RESULTS FROM THE RETINOSTATTM PROGRAMME FOR VISION-LOSS
Oxford, UK: 6 May 2003. Oxford BioMedica and The Institute of Ophthalmology are
describing two key features of the Company's vision-loss product RetinoStat(TM)
at The Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and
Ophthalmology (ARVO), held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during May 4th-8th. This
is the world's biggest forum for eye research and is attended by all principal
commercial and scientific players in the field, a total of around 8,000
attendees.
In two separate presentations the Company and the Institute's Ocular Gene
Therapy Group, led by Dr. Robin Ali, are showing data that confirm RetinoStat's
ability to target accurately the retina using the Company's LentiVector(R)
system. In addition, the Company's Hypoxia Response Element technology is shown
to focus gene expression in those parts of the retina that are local to the
pathological changes associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and
diabetic retinopathy (DR), the two major causes of vision-loss in the developed
world. These data were generated in industry-standard preclinical models for the
two diseases, and demonstrate proof-of-principle for delivery to the retina and
regulation of the gene. These are essential features required for a safe and
effective product. Hence, the encouraging preclinical results mean that the
RetinoStat programme is on track for clinical development in 2004.
Age-related macular degeneration ('AMD') and diabetic retinopathy ('DR') affect
approximately 30 million people in the developed world and the market potential
is in excess of $1.0 billion. In both AMD and DR, blindness is caused by the
defective formation of new blood vessels in the retina. In AMD, new blood
vessels extend from the inner retina beyond the inner limiting membrane, which
leads to haemorrhaging and distortion of the specific area of the retinal
surface responsible for sharp, central vision. In DR, a similar process occurs
however, the new blood vessels appear on the vitreous surface of the retina
causing excessive accumulation of fluid or 'oedema', which blurs vision and
causes retinal haemorrhage. RetinoStat is designed to halt this aberrant growth
of blood vessels before it begins. Currently, the only available treatments for
AMD and DR are limited and tend to only slow the diseases' progression.
The collaboration between Oxford BioMedica and the Institute of Ophthalmology
was initiated in May 2002. It is a research and development agreement using the
Company's proprietary technology to develop novel treatments for vision loss.
RetinoStat comprises a LentiVector gene delivery system expressing an
angiostatic gene under the control of Oxford BioMedica's Hypoxia Response
Element, which promotes gene expression under low oxygen conditions.
Commenting on the results Chief Executive, Professor Alan Kingsman said,
'We are delighted to be presenting at the major vision conference of the year.
Our RetinoStat data are exciting and this forum allows us to describe the
results to the widest possible audience including potential commercial partners.
This is the first public statement of progress from the collaboration and we
look forward to more developments in the coming months'.
Dr Robin Ali, Head of the Ocular Gene Therapy Group at the Institute of
Ophthalmology said,
'We are very pleased to be working with Oxford Biomedica. Our recent results
support the use of their LentiVector and Hypoxia Response Element technologies
for the treatment of ocular disorders and pave the way for advancement to
clinical trials'.
Background to age-related macular degeneration ('AMD') and diabetic retinopathy
('DR')
AMD is now one of the major debilitating diseases of the ageing population.
About one in six people between the ages of 55 and 64 will develop AMD while one
in four between 64 and 74 will be affected. One in three over the age of 75 will
be affected. Each year 1.2 million of the estimated 12 million Americans with
macular degeneration will suffer severe central vision loss. Each year 200,000
individuals will lose all central vision in one or both eyes due to AMD.
DR is the commonest cause of visual loss in people of working age and the
predominant cause of economic loss due to visual impairment. Over 40% of people
with insulin dependant and 20% of people with non-insulin dependent diabetes
eventually succumb to diabetic retinopathy. In the US alone, where an estimated
16 million people have either type I or II diabetes, about 600,000 have
retinopathy. Direct and indirect costs of diabetic retinopathy totalled more
than $ 2.8 billion in 1996. 2% of insulin dependent diabetics are totally blind,
many of them in the younger age group.
-Ends-
For further information, please contact:
Oxford BioMedica plc
Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000
City/Financial Enquiries:
Mike Wort, James Chandler: Beattie Financial Tel: +44 (0)20 7398 3300
Scientific/Trade Press Enquiries:
Sue Charles, Katja Stout: Northbank Communications Tel: +44 (0)20 7321 3870
Notes to Editors
1. Oxford BioMedica
Established in 1995 as a spin out from Oxford University, Oxford BioMedica plc
specialises in the development of novel gene-based therapeutics for the
treatment of cancer, neuro-degenerative disease and other disorders with major
unmet clinical needs. The development pipeline includes two novel anti-cancer
products in clinical trials and a gene therapy treatment for Parkinson's
disease, which is in late preclinical studies. This is underpinned by a broad
research pipeline and over 70 patent families, about quarter of which are
issued.
Oxford BioMedica's products use genes as the mediators of a therapeutic effect
and/or immune response. The Company's gene therapy products deliver therapeutic
molecules in vivo whilst its gene-based immunotherapy products deliver genes
that recruit the patient's immune system to mediate a therapeutic effect. The
genes are delivered by the Company's highly engineered viruses or cells.
BioMedica's lead product TroVax(R) is an anti-cancer therapeutic vaccine
expected to be useful against a broad range of tumour types. It is entering
Phase II trials in a number of indications including colorectal and renal
cancer, and is expected to be ready for Phase III trials at the end of 2003. The
Company's second cancer product, MetXia(R), is completing Phase I/II studies in
breast cancer.
Oxford BioMedica is headquartered in Oxford, UK and has a wholly-owned
subsidiary in San Diego, USA. BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Wyeth,
IDM, Intervet, Aliga Pharmaceuticals, Amersham, Arius Research and Viragen.
Oxford BioMedica plc was floated on the Alternative Investment Market of the
London Stock Exchange in December 1996, and was promoted to the United Kingdom
Listing Authority Official List in April 2001 following a successful £35.5
million fund-raising.
Further information is available on the World Wide Web at http://
www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk
2. The Institute of Ophthalmology
The Institute of Ophthalmology has the strongest multidisciplinary scientific
resource of any such eye centre in the world. The Institute's world leading
programme of research into the mechanisms and treatment of eye disease draws on
the tremendous clinical resource of Moorfields Eye Hospital and with this
provides an unparalleled focus for the rapid development of new treatments. The
Institute of Ophthalmology was recently awarded UK government funding under the
Wellcome Trust sponsored JIF mechanism to create a centre for the identification
and development of novel treatment strategies for ocular disease
This information is provided by RNS
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