Oxford BioTherapeutics (OBT) has developed a broad pipeline of both therapeutic antibodies and diagnostics in the field of cancer based
on its strategic collaborations with Medarex Inc. and Biosite Inc.
Therapeutic Antibody Pipeline
Some of OBT’s most advanced therapeutic antibody programmes are developed in collaboration with Medarex on a 50:50 cost
and profit share basis. The lead programmes target a number of solid cancer indications including colorectal
cancer. OBT is developing a companion diagnostic for a number of these programmes in collaboration with Biosite.
OBT has obtained broad access to Medarex’s fully human antibody technology with the aim of accelerating the development
of its own pipeline of novel antibodies in the field of cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, OBT will retain full
worldwide rights to the antibodies. In parallel, to further accelerate its pipeline development, OBT has established
a three-way agreement with Biosite and Medarex. Medarex will provide access to its transgenic
technology to Biosite, and Biosite will carry out the early stage antibody generation on behalf of OBT for a potentially
large number of OBT’s antibody programs. This is partly in exchange for Biosite receiving access to the OBT diagnostic
targets in colorectal and ovarian cancer. This arrangement is expected to improve OBT’s productivity and put top quality
antibody therapeutic programs into development more quickly.
OBT has identified a number of cancer targets from its OGAP® database, five of which are now being prepared to enter the
preclinical development phase. OBT has identified another 15 targets that will also be committed to the same pipeline.
In addition, under a separate agreement between OBT and Biosite, Biosite will establish a companion diagnostic
assay on certain programs selected by Biosite and OBT. This provides OBT with the opportunity to create a significant
portfolio of personalised cancer therapeutics with companion diagnostics for many of its oncology targets.
Diagnostic Pipeline
OBT, in collaboration with Biosite, has built a promising pipeline of blood-based cancer diagnostics for the
diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal and ovarian cancer. Under the terms of the collaboration, novel diagnostic markers
identified by OBT through OGAP
® will be developed by Biosite into blood-based diagnostic products.
OBT will receive research milestone payments and royalties. The most advanced diagnostic programme is for
colorectal cancer and is currently in clinical evaluation. OBT and Biosite initiated a second diagnostic
programme for ovarian cancer in 2007.
