A SECOND high-tech Oxfordshire company is embroiled in a legal battle over patents.

Gene therapy specialist Oxford BioMedica is defending a case brought by Bavarian Nordic, in the US, claiming that the system employed in Oxford BioMedica's therapeutic cancer vaccine, TroVax, which is being tested by volunteer patients, infringes Bavarian Nordic's patents.

The Oxford company said the litigation was "without merit".

Peter Nolan, of Oxford BioMedica, said: "Throughout our 11-year history, Oxford BioMedica has been diligent to ensure that it has freedom to operate for all its development programmes and is entirely respectful of the intellectual property that has been developed by others.

"We believe that Bavarian Nordic's claim is unwarranted and we have a high degree of confidence that this action will prove fruitless for Bavarian Nordic."

Last month the Patents Court in London heard a case defended by Oxonica, based at Begbroke Science Park. Neuftec, a private research company set up by a former employee, claims Oxonica is infringing patent law with its fuel additive Envirox, a fuel additive which is used by Stagecoach for its UK bus fleet to diesel consumption by up to 11 per cent and reduce polluting gases and particulates.

The Oxonica judgement has not yet been announced.