Oxford, UK – 7 February 2019: Oxford Biomedica plc (LSE: OXB), (“OXB” or “the Group”), a leading gene and cell therapy group, has been informed that as part of a company-wide portfolio review, Sanofi intends to seek a new partner for OXB’s outlicensed ophthalmology gene therapies, SAR422459 for Stargardt diseaseand SAR421869 for Usher’s Syndrome type 1b.
Sanofi has confirmed that it will continue with its ongoing Phase I/II proof-of-concept study with SAR422459, while it will not continue to develop SAR421869. Sanofi is currently in discussions with potential external partners to continue the further development of both of these programmes.
SAR422459 and SAR421869 relate to a development and commercialisation licence agreement signed with Sanofi in 2009. The portfolio review has no short or medium term material financial impact on the Group.
OXB’s collaboration and licence agreement with Bioverativ (a Sanofi company), for the development and manufacturing of lentiviral vectors to treat haemophilia, remains unaffected by the portfolio review.
John Dawson, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Biomedica, said:
“We remain supportive of Sanofi’s ongoing efforts to ensure the future development of SAR422459 and SAR421869. These important gene therapy programmes have the potential to provide one-time treatments for two ophthalmology indications with unmet medical needs and we are ready to support their transition to a new partner.”
For further information, please contact:
Oxford Biomedica plc
John Dawson, Chief Executive Officer
Stuart Paynter, Chief Financial Officer
Catherine Isted, Head of Corporate Development and IR
Sarah MacLeod, Head of Communications
Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000
Email: media@oxb.com
Tel: +44 (0)1865 954 161
Financial and corporate communications enquiries:
Consilium Strategic Communications
Mary-Jane Elliott/Matthew Neal
Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700
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About Oxford Biomedica
Oxford Biomedica (LSE:OXB) is a leading gene and cell therapy group focused on developing life changing treatments for serious diseases. Oxford Biomedica and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) have built a sector leading lentiviral vector delivery platform (LentiVector®), which the Group leverages to develop in vivo and ex vivo products both in-house and with partners. The Group has created a valuable proprietary portfolio of gene and cell therapy product candidates in the areas of oncology, ophthalmology and CNS disorders. The Group has also entered into a number of partnerships, including with Novartis, Bioverativ, Sanofi, Axovant, Orchard Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, the UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium and Imperial Innovations and GC LabCell, through which it has long-term economic interests in other potential gene and cell therapy products. Oxford Biomedica is based across several locations in Oxfordshire, UK and employs more than 360 people. Further information is available at www.oxb.com