On December 13, 2024 Oxford Vacmedix (OVM), the UK-based biopharma company developing vaccines to treat cancer, reported the finalisation of a licensing deal for its lead cancer vaccine OVM-200, with its largest shareholder Dx&Vx (Press release, Oxford Vacmedix, DEC 13, 2024, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=oxford-vacmedix-licenses-ovm-200-to-dxvx [SID1234649103]). The sub-license will grant Dx&Vx rights to develop and commercialise OVM-200 in South Korea, China, (including Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) and India. In return OVM will receive substantial milestones and double-digit royalties on sales. Under the agreement Dx&Vx will run clinical trials in South Korea, China, and India. Also, Dx&Vx will manage all regulatory and commercial aspects of OVM-200 development. OVM will co-operate on all aspects of clinical development and have access to the clinical trial data generated.
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In anticipation of the sub-licence, the development team from Dx&Vx has recently visited Oxford for very productive discussions on development and CMC of OVM-200 for clinical trials in S. Korea, China, and India.
OVM-200 targets survivin, a protein overexpressed by cancer cells that allow unregulated growth, which 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 (Recombinant Overlapping Peptide) based vaccine has been tested in the clinic. The ongoing trial 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. Initial results from Phase 1a, the dose escalation part of the trial, have shown very good safety and a strong immune response. Phase 1b for another 18-20 patients is ongoing with extended dosing approved by the UK MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).
William Finch, CEO of OVM, said:
We are very pleased that Dx&Vx is licensing OVM-200. This demonstrates real confidence in the technology. Our recent discussions in Oxford showed that Dx&Vx have both expertise and capability. We look forward to working closely with Dx&Vx on this programme. OVM-200 will be used both alone and in combination to help patients with advanced cancers.
Kevin Kwon, CEO of Dx&Vx, added:
We are delighted to be licensing-in OVM-200 and intend to implement Phase 1/ Phase 2a clinical trials in major Asian countries (South Korea, China, and India). We will try to launch OVM-200 through an accelerated approval that will allow patients to benefit from this novel technology as early as possible once clinical trials are completed around 2027.