Biovex

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN), today announced the completion of the acquisition of BioVex Group, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company based in Woburn, Mass., with additional operations in Abingdon, UK. The acquisition includes OncoVEX(GM-CSF), a novel investigational oncolytic vaccine in Phase 3 clinical development that may represent a new approach to treating melanoma and head and neck cancer. The acquisition was initially announced on Jan. 24. ABOUT BIOVEX -- BioVex is a privately held biotechnology company based in Woburn, Mass. The Company is developing a new class of potent biologics for the treatment of cancer and prevention of infectious disease. The Company’s lead product, OncoVEXGM-CSF is a first in class oncolytic vaccine. OncoVEXGM-CSF is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 multi-national study in metastatic melanoma and a Phase 3 study in head and neck cancer is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2010. BioVex believes OncoVEXGM-CSF has the potential to become a leading standard of care in the treatment of many solid tumors based on the strength of clinical data so far generated coupled with the relatively benign side effect profile noted to date. The Company has recently also commenced clinical testing in the UK with its vaccine candidate for the prevention and potentially the treatment of genital herpes.