Oxford Biomedica to lead major alliance in quest for cystic fibrosis vector breakthrough

Oxford Biomedica (LSE: OXB) released a statement on Monday announcing that it had partnered with Boehringer Ingelheim, Imperial Innovations (LSE: IVO) and the UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium (GTC) to find a genetic therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF).

This deal, which will bring together academics from the highest levels of the British research ecosystem, will focus specifically on developing a viral vector to attack the the root of the disease — mutations in the patient's cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).

Prior research, focused on the transfer of healthy CFTR genes into the patient's lung via inhalable solutions, has demonstrated impressive efficacy and leaves the door open for regular administrations, creating a potential long-term therapy option. Oxford Biomedica's gene therapy expertise allows the research to take on all 2,000 potential mutations of the CFTR gene, opening the door to a universal therapy in the future.