FGK Clinical Research GmbH, announces the successful acquisition of Clinicology Ltd. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for both companies and benefits OVM
Oxford, UK – 4th March 2024
Press Release – Sale of Clinicology Ltd.
Oxford Vacmedix (OVM), the clinical stage company developing therapeutic cancer vaccines, announced today that Clinicology Ltd, the contract research organisation company owned by Mark Thomas, Head of Clinical Operations has been acquired by a German CRO. This strategic move strengthens the positions of both companies and significantly increases the CRO contact and scope for OVM prior to starting Phase 2 trials for OVM-200. FGK Clinical Research GmbH is a full service CRO with significant reach in continental Europe. The acquisition of Clinicology Ltd extends the scope of services into the UK. Building on years of collaboration, the integration of FGK and Clinicology marks the evolution of a strong partnership which expands the horizons for growth in running clinical trials.
OVM-200 is OVM’s lead cancer vaccine. It targets survivin, over expressed in many solid tumours and is based in the novel Recombinant Overlapping Peptide (ROP) technology pioneered by Professor Shisong Jiang. It is being trialled in the UK in five leading hospitals, to treat ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Phase 1a, the first part of a Phase 1 trial, was completed in 2023 and demonstrated both safety and a very strong immune response as well as allowing the selection of the optimal dose regime of OVM-200 for use to treat late-stage cancer. Phase 1b is ongoing with Phase 2 planned to start towards the end of the year.
Mark Thomas, Head of Clinical Operations at Oxford Vacmedix commented;
“The synergies between FGK and Clinicology has been a driving force in multiple successful projects. This acquisition strengthens our collective capabilities and offers a new option for OVM in the conduct of future clinical trials for OVM-200 and for OVM-100.”
William Finch, CEO of Oxford Vacmedix added;
“We see this acquisition as a very significant step for OVM. We already have clinical trials ongoing in the UK and now our Head of Clinical Operations, Mark Thomas, has additional direct contact with extensive CRO capability in continental Europe. This offers very good opportunities for running future clinical trials for our cancer vaccines on a wider geographical footprint.”
ENDS
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
Dr Anthony Coombs, Executive Chairman, Oxford Vacmedix
T: +44 (0)1865 742087 | M: +44(0)7919 002161 | E: acoombs@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. The technology is used 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 is currently seeking Series B funding 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 being developed in Professor Jiang’s research unit.
For more information: https://www.oxfordvacmedix.com
About FGK Clinical Research GmbH:
FGK is a leading full-service clinical research organization (CRO) headquartered in Germany (Munich), providing support for biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies for clinical studies all over Europe. FGK has more than 230 in-house employees in Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary. With acquiring Clinicology, FGK gains highly qualified staff located directly in the UK. With a commitment to quality, efficiency, and customer orientation, FGK offers a range of services, next to clinical trial management (FGK Clinical Research GmbH), affiliates provide European sponsor representative services (FGK Representative Service), and global pharmacovigilance support (FGK Pharmacovigilance).
For more information: http://www.fgk-cro.com