Oxford BioMedica PLC on Tuesday said it started a new project and signed a license and supply agreement.

The Oxford, England-based gene and cell therapy company is entering a new project with London-based biotechnology company Orchard Therapeutics PLC.

The project is focused on a potential treatment for a form of Hurler’s syndrome, an inherited condition under which a person can not digest sugar or only a very reduced amount. This can lead to vision loss, hearing loss, numbness and frequent ear infections, among other symptoms.

‘As part of an existing collaboration, established in November 2016, Orchard Therapeutics will explore the technology to increase the manufacturing efficiency and scalability of hemopoietic stem cell gene therapy,’ Oxford BioMedica explained, citing therapy under which cellular components needed to form blood cells are formed.

Meanwhile, the company said it signed a license and supply agreement with an undisclosed US-based biotechnology company to advance new cell therapies.

Oxford BioMedica will grant its new partner a non-exclusive license to use its LentiVector platform under the pact. In return, Oxford BioMedica receives undisclosed upfront payments and additional payments ‘related to the development and manufacturing of lentiviral vectors for use in clinical trials’. Lentiviral particles are used for cell engineering.

Further, the firm will ‘receive certain development and regulatory milestone payments and an undisclosed royalty on the net sales of products sold that utilise the company’s LentiVector platform,’ it added.

Oxford BioMedica shares were 1.8% higher at 465.00 pence each in London on Tuesday morning.

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.