Oxford BioMedicareports that the Patent Office of the Peoples' Republic of China has granted two patents to the company that have broad claims covering vectors derived from lentiviruses
These are the first patents covering the commercial use of the Company's LentiVector technology in China, the only country in the world with an approved gene therapy product and a country where opportunities for innovative pharmaceutical development is widely predicted to grow substantially over the next decade.
These patents add further strength to Oxford BioMedica's existing intellectual property covering lentiviral vector systems that, unlike many versions, have real therapeutic utility because of their safety.
The Oxford BioMedica team was the first to construct lentiviral vectors that contain no viral genes at all, and which comprise the minimum number of viral components in the viral particles.
It is this minimisation of the vectors that confers the safety and is the subject of these patents.
The LentiVector technology forms the delivery system for the Company's neurotherapy pipeline, including products for Parkinson's disease, age-related macular degeneration, motor neuron disease, spinal muscular atrophy and nerve repair.
ProSavin, for Parkinsons disease, is Oxford BioMedica's most advanced programme that uses the LentiVector system, and clinical trials are expected to start in 2006.
In addition, the company has shown that the technology can be used for other disease areas such as anaemia, haemophilia and Aids.
Commenting on the new patents, Oxford BioMedica's chief executive, professor Alan Kingsman said: "We are delighted to add these two patents to our substantial intellectual property portfolio.
"Having these patents in place now enables us to commercialise our products in China.
"Towards the end of the year we will be seeking partners for the Chinese market, which is set to grow faster than any other territory in the next ten years.".
