Oxford BioMedica partners with Orchard Therapeutics

As part of the agreement, Oxford BioMedica will develop and supply lentiviral vectors used by Orchard for the manufacture of ex-vivo gene therapy products in primary immune deficiency disorders and inherited metabolic disorders, including adenosine deaminase severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID), Mucopolysaccharidosis-IIIA (MPS-IIIA or Sanfilippo Syndrome type A) and undisclosed follow-on indications.

Orchard will lead the global clinical development and commercialisation of collaboration programmes in Europe, the United States and in other regions.

Under the terms of the collaboration and licence agreement, Oxford BioMedica will receive a 1.95% equity stake in Orchard and will be entitled to royalties on future sales of products covered by the collaboration.

Oxford BioMedica will provide process development services and manufacture clinical and commercial GMP-grade lentiviral vectors for Orchard.

The process development arrangements include performance-related incentives through which Oxford BioMedica could receive a further 1.95% equity stake in Orchard. Oxford BioMedica has also granted an exclusive intellectual property licence to Orchard for collaboration programmes.

Oxford BioMedica CEO John Dawson said: “We are delighted to initiate a Strategic Alliance with Orchard Therapeutics and look forward to working with them to develop and launch much needed treatments for patients in desperate need of better treatment options.

"The alliance combines Oxford BioMedica’s world-leading capabilities in lentiviral vector process development and bioprocessing expertise with Orchard’s expertise in the development and commercialisation of gene therapies for orphan diseases. This further demonstrates Oxford BioMedica’s position as a “go to” partner for companies and academic institutions working with lentiviral vector based products.”

Orchard Therapeutics chief manufacturing officer Stewart Craig said: “Orchard is a leader in bringing transformative gene therapies to patients with serious and life threatening orphan diseases. This alliance with Oxford BioMedica represents a key element of the supply chain for manufacture of our ex vivo gene-modified stem cell products.

"We expect that Oxford BioMedica’s expertise in the development and manufacture of lentiviral vectors, along with their proven experience of working with global pharma companies will accelerate our ability to potentially address a series of devastating genetic diseases. We are excited about the potential for this alliance to deliver real patient benefits.”