Oxford BioMedica and Sigma-Aldrich have signed a joint licence agreement for LentiVector technology with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which provides GSK with access to the technology for research activities
Sigma-Aldrich is Oxford BioMedica's strategic partner and exclusive licensee in the commercialisation of the LentiVector technology for research use.
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.
Oxford BioMedica has a comprehensive portfolio of US and European patents and applications that cover the technology.
The company has an active licensing programme providing access to its LentiVector technology on a non-exclusive basis primarily.
Licensees include Biogen Idec, Merck, and Pfizer.
Commenting on the news, Oxford BioMedica's senior vice president commercial development, Peter Nolan, said: "We are delighted to have secured another licensee for the LentiVector gene delivery technology and we welcome GlaxoSmithKline to our portfolio of users".
"The industry is adopting our technology as the gold standard for various applications in research and drug discovery.
"With our strategic partner, Sigma-Aldrich, we are well positioned for further penetration of the research field with our technology".
Shaf Yousaf, president of the Sigma-Aldrich research biotechnology business unit said: "This is the first joint licensing agreement with Oxford BioMedica and we expect this to be a model for other such agreements under our strategic alliance.
"As market leader in this field, we believe Oxford BioMedica's LentiVector technology has a substantial commercial opportunity as a research tool."
