Oxford BioMedica received in March 2001 a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent Office for a patent covering lentiviral vectors and their use in gene therapy, target validation, and gene discovery
This technology forms an important part of Oxford BioMedica's Lentivector intellectual property that is protected by a raft of patent and patent applications.
One of the aspects of this technology covers a novel genetic switch which improves and/or regulates how specific genes are expressed in a cell from a lentiviral vector.
These vectors are particularly useful in Oxford BioMedica's expanding neurobiology programmes.
Commenting on the news, Oxford BioMedica's chief executive, professor Alan Kingsman said: "We are delighted that the US patent office has granted this patent.
"We already have a substantial portfolio of patents in the area of gene therapy vector design and use, since it is a key area of our technology and it is important for us to protect the intellectual property of the company.
"With some of the proceeds from the recent fundraising, our intentions are to continue to extend the intellectual property portfolio of the company."
