Support from leading Prostate cancer charity for the clinical development of OVM-200.
Oxford, UK – 27th November 2024
Press Release – Prostate Cancer Research invests in Oxford Vacmedix Series B
Oxford Vacmedix (OVM), the UK-based biopharma company developing vaccines to treat cancer, announced today Series B investment from Proven Connect, the translational arm of the charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR). Proven Connect bridges the gap between industry, investors, health providers and patients and has provided both support and advice for the Phase 1 trial of lead cancer vaccine OVM-200. The investment in the OVM Series B fund from Proven Connect demonstrates both confidence in the novel ROP (Recombinant Overlapping Peptide) technology and in the potential for OVM-200 to treat prostate cancer. Proven Connect has also supported OVM in applying for a grant from Innovate UK. This most recent Series B investment has been made at the valuation for OVM of $54.0m, which reflects the substantial progress the company has made in developing the novel ROP technology.
OVM-200 vaccine
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 ongoing trial of OVM-200 is focused on safety and on establishing an immune response in advanced cancer patients in three cancer indications – prostate cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and ovarian cancer. Initial results from Phase 1a, the dose escalation part of the trial, have showed very good safety and a strong immune response. The ROP technology is unique in being suitable for all HLAs (human leucocyte antigen) and has potential to be used with mRNA technology. ROPs hold the promise of minimally invasive, cost effective, efficacious therapy that can also extend and enhance the effect of immunotherapy.
William Finch, CEO of OVM said:
We are very pleased to have this support from Proven Connect. Their experience and contacts have been immensely helpful for the development of OVM-200. This investment shows and will contribute to the completion of Phase 1, to help patients with advanced cancer. We look forward to interest from other investors to complete Series B.
Dr. Jayne Spink, Translational Research Director at PCR added:
We are very pleased to be supporting OVM through this investment. We are confident in the potential for this exciting new technology and look forward to seeing further results with OVM-200 in prostate cancer.
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For more information or to express an interest in investing in Series B please contact:
William Finch, CEO, Oxford Vacmedix
T: +44 (0)1865 742087 | M: +44(0)7769 903711 | E: wfinch@oxfordvacmedix.com
Notes to Editor
About Oxford Vacmedix
Oxford Vacmedix UK Ltd, based at the Oxford Science Park, UK, is a bio-pharma company that was spun out from the University of Oxford’s Department of Oncology and is utilising the novel proprietary platform technology of recombinant overlapping peptides (ROPs) invented by Professor Shisong Jiang. ROPs have been validated as a technology to stimulate broad and strong T cell immunity therefore forming a good platform for therapeutic vaccines and diagnostics in cancer and infectious diseases.
The technology uses the novel, proprietary platform of ROPs to design and develop therapeutic cancer vaccines and diagnostics with the potential for increased efficacy, lower costs, simpler regulatory pathways and synergy when used in combination with other immune oncology (IO) agents. The company has extensive contacts and collaborations in China through Changzhou Bioscience Group (CBIG) that is using the ROP platform for diagnostics in both cancer and in infectious diseases.
OVM is developing two lead vaccines, OVM-100 and OVM-200, focusing on unmet clinical need. OVM-100 is an HPV vaccine targeted at cervical cancer, and OVM-200 represents a new type of vaccine utilising survivin to target solid tumours including prostate, ovarian and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Both vaccines will be tested as single agents and in combination with IO agents. OVM has a strong pipeline, with a diagnostic for anti-microbial resistance being tested and two other cancer vaccines is preclinical development.
OVM secured Series A investment from Dx&Vx (formerly Cancer ROP), a listed South Korean biotech company, and from existing shareholders in China in 2018. The company is currently seeking further Series B funding of $10.0m-$12.0m to advance OVM-200 to Phase 2 and OVM-100 into Phase 1 trials, as monotherapy and also in combination. In addition, the option of using mRNA delivery with the ROP technology is also being explored.
For more information: https://www.oxfordvacmedix.com
About Proven Connect
Bridging the gap between innovators, investors, healthcare, and patients. Proven Connect is the translational arm of the charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR). Born of 30 years’ experience in prostate cancer research, Proven Connect aims to support the commercialisation of prostate cancer innovations through investment, expertise in academic and translational research and a deep understanding of patient needs.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and as populations around the world age, the incidence of cases will increase. Through increasing funding and support for cutting edge research Proven Connect aims to relieve the burden of the disease for men, their families and wider society. All profits raised through Proven Connect will be invested back into prostate cancer.For more information: https://www.provenconnect.com
