Last checked at 3 Jan 2018 07:00
3 January 2018
Oxford BioDynamics Plc
("OBD" or the "Company" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group")
Oxford BioDynamics signs second collaboration agreement with major US biopharmaceutical company
EpiSwitch™ technology to develop predictive biomarkers for immuno-oncology therapies
There is a significant unmet need for predictive biomarkers for this class of therapeutic
Oxford BioDynamics Plc (AIM: OBD), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of epigenetic biomarkers based on regulatory genome architecture, for use within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a second collaboration with a major US biopharmaceutical company to extend its development of predictive biomarkers for immuno-oncology (IO) therapies. The first collaboration with this company was announced on 7 November 2017. To date, OBD has entered into four agreements to discover and develop predictive biomarkers for IO therapeutics, two with pharmaceutical companies, one with a major US healthcare concern and the latest agreement with a major US biopharmaceutical company.
The fast-emerging IO therapies work by equipping the body's immune system with the tools to kill cancer cells. IO therapies are already transforming lives, with tens of thousands of patients around the world benefiting from first generation IO treatments, which can extend lives for months or years longer than chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with fewer debilitating side effects. It's this long-term benefit and curative potential that is driving these therapies of unique efficacy. Unfortunately, not every patient can benefit from current IO treatments. It is essential to identify the patients who can and who can't respond to specific IO therapies. This will help to direct patients that are non-responders to alternative treatments and help develop insights into the regulatory mechanisms responsible for this non-response.
Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, the US biopharmaceutical company will be granted access to OBD's unique EpiSwitch™ technology for use in the development of new predictive biomarkers for IO therapies. This will support the development of next-generation companion diagnostics, and enable patient population stratification for clinical trials in the IO field.
Christian Hoyer Millar, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford BioDynamics, said:
"We are pleased to be entering into our second collaboration with this major global biotech company to support the development of predictive biomarkers for their immuno-oncology efforts. This new collaboration is further evidence of the broad adoption of our EpiSwitch™ technology for use in complex, highly challenging therapeutic development programmes. Today the field of immuno-oncology is offering therapies with unique efficacy for cancer patients. We see our contribution as an important part of the successful advancement of this field."
-ENDS-
Oxford BioDynamics Plc. | +44 (0)1865 518910 | |
Christian Hoyer Millar, CEO | ||
Paul Stockdale, CFO | ||
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited | +44 (0)20 7710 7600 | |
Nominated Advisor and Broker | ||
David Arch | ||
Jonathan Senior | ||
Peter Lees | ||
Ben Maddison | ||
Shore Capital | +44 (0)20 7408 4090 | |
Joint Broker | ||
Stephane Auton | ||
Edward Mansfield | ||
FTI Consulting | +44 (0)20 3727 1000 | |
Financial Public Relations Advisor | ||
Julia Phillips | ||
Brett Pollard | ||
Natalie Garland-Collins |
Notes for Editors
About Oxford BioDynamics Plc
Oxford BioDynamics Plc (AIM: OBD) ("Oxford BioDynamics") is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of epigenetic biomarkers for use within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.
The Company's award-winning, proprietary technology platform, EpiSwitch™, aims to accelerate the drug discovery and development process, improve the success rate of therapeutic product development and take advantage of the increasing importance of personalised medicine.
In particular, EpiSwitch™ can reduce time to market, failure rates and the costs at every stage of drug discovery. Additionally, the technology provides significant insights into disease mechanisms for drug discovery and product re‐positioning programmes, and enables the personalisation of therapeutics for patients in the context of challenging pricing environments where improved clinical outcomes are critical.
Oxford BioDynamics is headquartered in the UK, and listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM under the ticker "OBD". For more information please visit www.oxfordbiodynamics.com.