On November 28, 2023 Oxford Vacmedix (OVM), the UK-based biopharma company developing vaccines to treat cancer reported ongoing licensing discussions with its largest shareholder DxVx for lead cancer vaccine OVM-200 (Press release, Oxford Vacmedix, NOV 28, 2023, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=licensing-deal-for-ovm-200 [SID1234638009]). If concluded the licensing deal will grant DxVx rights to develop and to commercialise OVM-200 in South Korea and China, in return for an upfront payment, development milestone payments and royalties on sales. Under the proposed agreement DxVx would run trials in South Korea and China and manage regulatory and commercial aspects of development. All clinical trial data will be shared with OVM.
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OVM-200 targets survivin, a protein overexpressed by cancer cells that allow unregulated growth and stimulates an immune response. The vaccine is in a Phase 1 trial in the UK which is both the first time OVM-200 has been used in people and also the first time any ROP based vaccine has been tested in the clinic. The Phase I trial of OVM-200 is focused on safety and on establishing an immune response in advanced cancer patients in three cancer indications – non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), prostate cancer and ovarian cancer. Patients are being treated at five leading hospitals in the UK. Twelve patients were treated in Phase 1a, the dose escalation part of the trial, with initial results showing very good safety and a strong immune response. A further 24 patients are now being treated in Phase 1b.
The announcement by DxVx stresses the benefits of the ROP technology and in particular the wide applicability of ROPs to treat cancer by being suitable for all HLAs (human leucocyte antigen).
William Finch, CEO of OVM said:
"We are very pleased that are largest shareholder will be licensing OVM-200 for South Korea and China. DxVx undoubtedly have the expertise and capabilities to run clinical trials and to commercialise in these countries and we look forward to working closely together on his programme. The OVM-200 vaccine will be used both alone and in combination to help patients with advanced cancer."
A DxVx official added:
"We plan to complete the license-in process soon and proceed with Phase 1b and Phase 2 clinical trials in major Asian countries (Korea, China and considering India in the future). We will try to launch it through an accelerated approval that will allow patients to benefit early from effective drugs before all clinical trials are completed around 2027."