RPR Gencell and Oxford BioMedica Sign Agreement Involving Gene Therapy Products

Oxford BioMedica and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Gencell, the gene therapy division of Rhone-Poulenc Inc., signed an agreement involving the worldwide license of Oxford BioMedica's Hypoxia Response Element (HRE) to be used in RPR's cardiovascular gene therapy products. Under the agreement Oxford BioMedica will receive research funding, milestones and royalties on sales of RPR products which incorporate the HRE technology. The company has also agreed to develop screens for small molecule therapeutics for RPR.

HRE is a controlled mechanism that can switch genes on and off in response to oxygen levels in the tissues of the body. RPR will use HRE in gene therapy to treat coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease by stimulating growth of new blood vessels in areas where existing blood vessels have become disease, and have ceased to function. RPR expects to use HRE in both viral and non-viral vectors.

Oxford BioMedica specializes in the development and application of gene-based therapeutics using advanced gene delivery technologies for the treatment of disease in the areas of oncology, Viral Infection, Neurobiology and Genetic Deficiency.

Established in 1994, RPR Gencell develops and manufacturers gene therapy products. Currently the company has several gene therapy product candidates in development within the therapeutic areas of Oncology, Cardiovascular and Central Nervous System.