Oxford Biomedica to acquire Oxxon Therapeutics

UK-based vaccine company Oxxon Therapeutics has entered into an agreement to be acquired by biopharma company Oxford BioMedica, based in Oxford, UK.

Oxford BioMedica is focused on the development of novel gene-based therapeutics particularly in oncology, including therapeutic vaccines and neurotherapy. The transaction values Oxxon at £16m.

The acquisition of Oxxon provides Oxford BioMedica with a cancer immunotherapy product candidate (Hi-8 MEL), which is complementary to its own TroVax product candidate which is in late-stage development. In addition, Oxxon's strong intellectual property estate broadens and complements Oxford BioMedica's proprietary position in immunotherapy and gene-based medicines.

Hi-8 PrimeBoost immunotherapy platform is designed to stimulate potent cellular immune responses. Oxxon has successfully completed a Phase II trial in melanoma and has products candidates for the treatment of hepatitis B and HIV.

The therapy is a two-step approach whereby a 'prime' vector encoding a disease-specific antigen(s) stimulates the immune system to produce disease-specific T cells and is followed by a 'boost' containing the same antigen(s) delivered in a non-replicating viral vector. The boost amplifies the disease-specific T cells and creates a significant population of memory T cells to target and eliminate diseased cells.

This approach yields extremely potent T cell responses against the disease antigens encoded in the Hi-8 PrimeBoost treatment as well as clinical benefit for patients. In addition, Hi-8 PrimeBoost regimens have been safe in over 30 clinical studies in more than 800 patients and healthy volunteers.

'There is clear synergy between the two companies and, given Oxford BioMedica's technical and development expertise, we believe that this combination maximises the opportunity for Oxxon's technology,' said John Berriman, executive deputy chairman of Oxxon.

'The acquisition expands our immunotherapy pipeline and strengthens our intellectual property position in the field of immunology,' said Professor Alan Kingsman, chief executive of Oxford BioMedica.

'Oxxon's Hi-8 MEL vaccine has generated encouraging Phase II results as a treatment of advanced melanoma. The market opportunity for an effective melanoma vaccine is substantial and this is a cancer type where our immunotherapy, TroVax, cannot be developed because, unlike the vast majority of human tumours, melanomas do not have 5T4 on the surface of the tumour cells.

'This acquisition is part of the implementation of a plan for the development of our pipeline following finalisation of a licensing deal for TroVax.'