Oxford BioMedica, a gene therapy company, has signed a licence agreement for its LentiVector technology with Pfizer
The agreement provides Pfizer with use of the company's proprietary LentiVector gene delivery system for research activities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Oxford BioMedica will receive an upfront licence payment and an annual maintenance fee.
Oxford BioMedica's lentivirus-based gene delivery technology, known as LentiVector, is one of the most powerful technologies for the delivery of genes to a wide range of cell and tissue types.
The LentiVector technology has applications both in therapeutic products and as a drug discovery tool for target validation and the creation of targeted disease models.
It has also been shown to enhance the efficiency of making transgenic birds and mammals.
Oxford BioMedica has a comprehensive portfolio of US and European patents that cover the LentiVector technology.
Commenting on the news Oxford BioMedica's senior vice president commercial development, Peter Nolan, said: "We are delighted to add Pfizer to our list of licensees for the LentiVector technology.
"The versatility and safety of lentiviral vectors make them the system of choice for gene target validation in the drug discovery process as well as for the direct therapeutic applications in neurotherapy that Oxford BioMedica is pursuing.
"An increasing number of companies are using the LentiVector technology and we expect to establish a number of new partnerships around the technology".
