BioMedica acquires Chiron patents
Oxford BioMedica, a leading gene therapy company, has signed an agreement with the Chiron Corporation to acquire certain patent families from Chiron's gene therapy patent portfolio.
Oxford BioMedica, a leading gene therapy company, has signed an agreement with the Chiron Corporation to acquire certain patent families from Chiron's gene therapy patent portfolio.
The agreement includes taking assignment of Chiron's interest in a license agreement with an undisclosed university. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Chiron's patent portfolio contains some early gene therapy technology that complements Oxford BioMedica's substantial gene therapy patent estate. The technology acquired includes:
the use of human cell lines for the production of gene therapy products
gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT)
the use of the envelope protein of the vesicular stomatis virus (VSV-g) for increasing the ability of gene therapy vectors to transduce a broad range of human cell types
Under a separate agreement Chiron has made an equity investment in Oxford BioMedica.
Commenting on these agreements the Oxford Biomedica's senior vice president for commercial development, Peter Nolan, said: 'We are delighted to have concluded this agreement with Chiron and welcome them as share-holders in the company. Securing this intellectual property will enhance our competitive position in gene therapy and in the use of our technology in drug discovery.'