Phase II cancer gene therapy for license

Licensing opportunity

Following as strategic review of its portfolio, the gene therapy specialist Oxford BioMedica plc has put MetXia, a Phase II cancer treatment up for license.

The product is based on a retroviral vector that delivers a human cytochrome P450 gene. This activates the harmless prodrug cyclophosphamide to its active, toxic, form at the site of a tumour. The product is potentially useful in the treatment of all solid tumours.

Metxia has completed Phase I/II trials in breast cancer and melanoma and was shown to be safe and well tolerated. The P450 gene, delivered by MetXia, was detected in the treated tumours. Clinical benefits were seen in some patients, including tumour size reduction.

The product is currently in a Phase II trial in pancreatic cancer.