Oxford BioMedica has signed an agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute extending exclusive access to cytochrome P450 enzymes in cancer therapy
The P450 enzyme is used in Oxford BioMedica's novel cancer gene therapy product, MetXia.
The extension of the license covers the development of MetXia as a treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Under a separate agreement, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have subscribed for a total of 352,887 ordinary shares of 1p each at 15.78pence per share.
The P450 enzyme is naturally expressed in the liver and activates the chemotherapeutic drug cyclophosphamide.
By delivering a specific P450 gene, MetXia promotes activation of cyclophosphamide directly in the tumour and thereby enhances its potency as an anti-tumour treatment.
Oxford BioMedica licensed the rights to the P450 enzyme for cancer gene therapy from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 1997 and extended the agreement previously in 2000.
Oxford BioMedica has demonstrated proof of concept with MetXia in two Phase I/II trials in patients with accessible tumours, primarily in breast cancer.
In April 2004, the company reported that recruitment had started in a Phase I trial, rolling into a Phase II trial in patients with pancreatic cancer.
The safety stage of this trial is on-track to complete by the end of the year.
