Replies to post #653 on Oxford BioMedica PLC (OXBDF)

[ADVFN_doclee]

George, Thanks for the info.

The only connection that I can find between the 2 companies is that Sigma-Aldrich have equity stakes in both Oxford Biomedica and Benitec dating back to 2005 with agreements with both of them for exclusive access etc to areas of their intellectual property. Benitec's technology is based on an "adeno-associated viral" (AAV) vector and Oxford's on lentivector technology.

ST. LOUIS, Oct 27, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Sigma-Aldrich, (Nasdaq: SIAL) a leading $1.4 billion Life Science company announced today that it has signed a series of agreements that expand its position in the area of RNA Interference (RNAi). Sigma-Aldrich and Benitec Ltd. (ASX: BLT), a leading developer of RNAi-based therapeutics, have signed two major agreements, one in which Sigma-Aldrich acquires an equity stake in Benitec, and one in which Sigma-Aldrich is granted the exclusive license to Benitec's intellectual property for RNAi in the field of research reagents. Sigma-Aldrich also has an agreement with Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB), a leading gene therapy company, to acquire an equity stake in that company and exclusive access to key intellectual property pertaining to the use of Lentivirus based vector systems. These agreements mark the latest of a number of affiliations that are expected to make Sigma-Aldrich a major force in RNAi.
About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. The company has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 35 countries and has over 6,800 employees providing excellent service worldwide and is committed to accelerating Customers' success through leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning Web site at www.sigma-aldrich.com.

Oxford and Benitec don't appear to have any direct connection that I can find and are, in fact, competitors in the same area of technology!