United Kingdom, November 29, 2016 – Orchard Therapeutics (“Orchard”), a biotechnology company dedicated to bringing transformative ex-vivo gene therapies to patients with serious and life-threatening orphan diseases announces today that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Oxford BioMedica plc (“Oxford BioMedica”) (LSE: OXB), a world-leading company in gene and cell therapy.
Under the terms of the collaboration and licence agreement, Oxford BioMedica has granted an exclusive intellectual property licence to Orchard for collaboration programmes, and will provide process development services and manufacture clinical and commercial GMP-grade lentiviral vectors for Orchard. Oxford BioMedica will receive a 1.95% equity stake in Orchard and will be entitled to royalties on future sales of products covered by the collaboration. The process development arrangements include performance-related incentives, through which Oxford BioMedica could receive a further 1.95% equity stake in Orchard.
The agreement is an important milestone for Orchard’s development and success. Stewart Craig, Orchard’s Chief Manufacturing Officer commented: “Orchard is a leader in bringing transformative gene therapies to patients with serious and life-threatening orphan diseases and this alliance with Oxford BioMedica increases our ability to potentially address devastating genetic disorders. Oxford BioMedica has a lot of expertise in the manufacture of lentivirus, and proven experience of working with global pharma companies. We look forward to working with Oxford BioMedica and are excited about the real patient benefits this alliance can deliver.”
Orchard will be leading the global clinical development and commercialization of collaboration programmes in Europe, the United States and in other regions, while Oxford BioMedica will be developing and supplying lentiviral vectors for Orchard’s clinical programmes. Orchard is currently developing novel treatments for primary immune deficiency disorders and inherited metabolic disorders, including ADA-SCID (adenosine deaminase deficiency severe combined immunodeficiency) and MPS IIIA (Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA or Sanfilippo syndrome type A) as well as for other indications in the pipeline of Orchard.
John Dawson, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford BioMedica, commented: “We are delighted to initiate a Strategic Alliance with Orchard Therapeutics and look forward to working with them to develop and launch much needed treatments for patients in desperate need of better treatment options. The alliance combines Oxford BioMedica’s world-leading capabilities in lentiviral vector process development and bioprocessing expertise with Orchard’s expertise in the development and commercialization of gene therapies for orphan diseases. This further demonstrates Oxford BioMedica’s position as a “go to” partner for companies and academic institutions working with lentiviral vector based products.”
About adenosine deaminase deficiency severe combined immunodeficiency (“ADA-SCID”)
ADA-SCID is a rare inherited disorder of the immune system. The incidence of ADA-SCID is estimated between 1 in every 375,000–660,000 live births, according to literature sources. ADA-SCID is caused by mutations in the gene encoding for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, which result in a severe deficiency in white blood cells and life-threatening infections. In the absence of treatment, ADA-SCID is fatal within the first months of life. Despite currently available treatment options, there remains significant need for therapies that reduce the mortality, morbidity and burden of disease on patients and families.
About mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA (MPS IIIA, Sanfilippo syndrome type A)
MPS IIIA is a rare neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the sulfoglycosamine sulfohydrolase (SGSH) gene. There are no effective treatments for MPS IIIA to date. The disease affects children in early life, with a progressive decline in cognitive and behavioural function and a subsequent decline in motor function and results in severe dementia and early death, usually in the teens or early twenties.
About Oxford BioMedica®
Oxford BioMedica (LSE:OXB) is a leading gene and cell therapy company 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®), through which the Group develops 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, Sanofi, GSK, and Immune Design, 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 250 people.
About Orchard Therapeutics Ltd.
Orchard Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to bringing transformative ex-vivo gene therapies to patients with serious and life-threatening orphan diseases. The company was recently named a Fierce 15 Company for 2016 by Fierce Biotech.
Media Contacts
Orchard Therapeutics Limited
Sylvie Blanchier
Tel: +44 (0)20 3823 2149
Oxford BioMedica plc
John Dawson, Chief Executive Officer
Tim Watts, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1865 783 000
Financial and corporate communications enquiries
Consilium Strategic Communications
Mary-Jane Elliott/Matthew Neal/Chris Welsh/Laura Thornton
Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700
