Oxford BioMedica Announces US IND Approval for Novel Ocular Product in Usher Syndrome Type 1B

OXFORD, England, October 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

-- Third ocular product partnered with Sanofi approved to enter clinical development --

Oxford BioMedica plc ("Oxford BioMedica" or "the Company") (LSE: OXB), the leading gene-based biopharmaceutical company, today announces that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the Phase I/IIa clinical development of UshStat^®, a novel gene-based treatment for Usher syndrome type 1B.  UshStat^® was designed and developed by Oxford BioMedica using the Company's proprietary LentiVector^® platform technology and is the third programme to enter clinical development under the Phase I/II ocular collaboration agreement signed with Sanofi in April 2009.

The approval of the IND follows the decision by the US Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) to approve the UshStat^® Phase I/IIa protocol in May 2011.  The open label, dose escalation Phase I/IIa study will enrol up to 18 patients with Usher syndrome type 1B at the Oregon Health and Science University's Casey Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon.  The study, led by Professor Richard Weleber, will evaluate three dose levels for safety, tolerability and aspects of biological activity and is expected to be initiated by the end of 2011.

Usher syndrome is the most common form of deaf-blindness which affects approximately 30,000-50,000 patients in the US and Europe.  One of the most common subtypes is Usher syndrome type 1B.  The disease is caused by a mutation of the gene encoding myosin VIIA (MY07A), which leads to progressive retinitis pigmentosa combined with a congenital hearing defect.  UshStat^® uses the Company's LentiVector^® platform technology to deliver a corrected version of the MYO7A gene to address the vision loss associated with the disease.  On the basis of pre-clinical data, it is anticipated that a single application of UshStat^® to the retina could provide long-term or potentially permanent stabilisation of vision.  There are currently no approved treatments available for Usher syndrome type 1B.  UshStat^® has received European and US Orphan Drug Designation which brings development, regulatory and commercial benefits.

John Dawson, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford BioMedica, said: "This is the third ocular IND approval that Oxford BioMedica has received from the US regulatory agencies over the last 12 months which represents an exceptional achievement for our R&D and regulatory teams.  The continued progress of our ocular programmes partnered with Sanofi will further support the development path for other LentiVector^® platform products.  With no approved treatment available for patients, we look forward to bringing UshStat^® into Phase I/IIa clinical development later this year."  

Professor Richard Weleber, Principal Investigator at the Casey Eye Institute, commented: "We are delighted to be partnering with Oxford BioMedica in the design and conduct of this; the first trial of gene replacement for retinitis pigmentosa associated with myosin 7A-deficient type I Usher syndrome.  As such, this trial represents a major milestone in the history of Usher syndrome.  We conclude that the gene replacement therapy that will be evaluated in this trial has the potential to provide a substantial, durable benefit for the vision of these patients."

Dr Stephen Rose, Chief Research Officer of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, an early funding collaborator of Oxford BioMedica's pre-clinical ocular programme, added: "The IND approval for UshStat^® is great news for people affected by a particularly devastating condition.  UshStat^® will be the first vision treatment for any type of Usher syndrome to move into a human study and, as a corrective gene therapy, it holds potential to halt the disease in its tracks."

Notes to editors

1. Oxford BioMedica

Oxford BioMedica plc (LSE: OXB) is a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative gene-based medicines and therapeutic vaccines that aim to improve the lives of patients with high unmet medical needs.  The Company's technology platform includes a highly efficient LentiVector^® gene delivery system, which has specific advantages for targeting diseases of the central nervous system and the eye; and a unique tumour antigen (5T4), which is an ideal target for anti-cancer therapy.  Through in-house and collaborative research, Oxford BioMedica has a broad pipeline with current partners and licensees including Sanofi, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, MolMed, Sigma-Aldrich, Biogen Idec, VIRxSYS, Emergent BioSolutions and ImaginAb.  Further information is available at http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk.

2. LentiVector^® gene delivery technology

Oxford BioMedica's LentiVector^® gene delivery technology is one of the most advanced gene delivery systems currently available, which has many applications in product development and discovery research.  It is the system of choice for gene-based treatments addressing chronic and inherited diseases.  Oxford BioMedica has established a dominant intellectual property estate in the field of lentiviral-vector mediated gene delivery through its in-house research and from work conducted by the Company's co-founders at Oxford University.

3. Oxford BioMedica's agreement with Sanofi

Under the terms of the agreement signed with Sanofi in April 2009, Oxford BioMedica is responsible for the pre-clinical and initial Phase I/II studies of four lentiviral vector-based product candidates in the field of ophthalmology: RetinoStat^® for "wet" age-related macular degeneration, StarGen™ for Stargardt disease, UshStat^® for Usher syndrome 1B and EncorStat^® for corneal graft rejection.  Oxford BioMedica will receive committed funding of up to US$24 million over the initial phase of development.  Oxford BioMedica granted Sanofi a license to develop the products and an option for further development, manufacture and commercialisation on a worldwide basis.  At any time prior to or within a defined period after completion of each Phase I/II study, Sanofi can exercise its option to license the products and will then assume responsibility for on-going activities.  Sanofi also has rights to broaden its license to develop the four products in additional indications, and has rights of first refusal to license other lentiviral vector-based products for the treatment of ocular diseases.

4. Foundation Fighting Blindness

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a publicly-supported charity raising money to fund research for macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease and related ocular diseases.

For further information, please contact:

Oxford BioMedica plc:
Lara Mott, Head of Corporate Communications
Tel: +44-(0)1865-783-000

Media Enquiries:
Mary Clark/Emma Thompson/Claire Dickinson
M:Communications
Tel: +44-(0)20-7920-2342