UK Genetic Researchers Licence New Technologies

Oxford Biomedica, a biotechnology spin-off company of the UK's Oxford University, has licensed its LentiVector gene delivery system to a large unnamed drug company. Although no financial terms of the deal were disclosed, the agreement envisages an annual maintenance fee as well as an up-front payment. According to Oxford Biomedica, LentiVector delivers genes to various cell types, or could potentially be developed as a stand-alone genetic therapy.

Last month, the company announced product agreements with US biotechnology firm Biogen Idec, and previous licensees also include US drug major Merck & Co. and UK drugmaker AstraZeneca.

Meanwhile, scientists at the University of Cambridge have licensed a new targeting technology for malignant tumours. Researchers said the system separates cancer stem cells from cell lines, allowing new therapies to target and destroy cancer-bearing stem cells without harming nonmalignant stem cells. The technology has been licensed to US company Stemline Therapeutics for undisclosed milestone payments and royalties.