Cancer Research UK, Cancer Research Technology and MRC Technology are joining forces to identify and validate novel drug discovery targets that could lead to new immunotherapy treatments.
The partnership brings together Cancer Research UK’s network of leading scientists with CRT’s cancer-focused target selection and validation expertise, and MRCT’s antibody screening and development capability. The collaboration will identify possible targets for the development of both antibody and small molecule therapeutics. The next stage of the collaboration will be to seek a clinical partner to accelerate the progress of promising compounds into the clinic.
New targets that increase cancer’s susceptibility to the immune system will be identified from Cancer Research UK’s funded research. MRC Technology will develop antibodies for suitable targets via its antibody screening platform, while CRT will focus on small molecule approaches.
Dr Hamish Ryder, director of discovery, Cancer Research Technology, said: “Immunotherapy is a hugely promising approach to cancer treatment and we’re delighted to extend our research in this area by partnering with MRC Technology.
“The aim of this alliance is to work together to identify highly novel immunotherapy targets and develop treatments that will complement the checkpoint inhibitors that are already having such an impact on patients.
“We want to move quickly to bring promising new drugs forward to treat cancer patients as soon as possible.”
Dr Justin Bryans, director, drug discovery at MRC Technology said: “Bringing together MRC Technology's antibody drug discovery and CRT's cancer biology expertise and applying them to cutting-edge discoveries from the Cancer Research UK network represents a very exciting prospect and will help us identify and develop new immune-oncology therapies, which already have a significant impact on cancer patients' lives.”
CRT and MRC Technology will be joint commercialisation partners for the collaboration and any resulting immunotherapy treatments.
ENDS
For media enquiries contact:
Cancer Research Technology press office on 020 3469 8300 or, out of hours, on 07050 264 059 or
Liezel Tipper, PR & Communications Manager, MRC Technology. Tel: 07718 118697 or Email: Liezel.tipper@tech.mrc.ac.uk.
Notes to Editors:
About MRC Technology
MRC Technology is an independent life science medical research charity committed to improving positive patient outcomes everywhere.
As a champion for human health, MRC Technology partners with academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and charity organisations to move promising medical research forward into viable and accessible patient treatments.
As a self-funded charity, income is reinvested to support translating research from the bench to patient. MRC Technology offers commercialisation and IP management skills and diagnostic and drug discovery expertise, specialising in small molecules and therapeutic antibodies.
MRC Technology projects have led to several approved drugs, changing the lives of countless patients by harnessing the potential of science. www.mrctechnology.org.
About Cancer Research Technology
Cancer Research Technology (CRT) is a specialist commercialisation and development company, which aims to develop new discoveries in cancer research for the benefit of cancer patients. CRT works closely with leading international cancer scientists and their institutes to protect intellectual property arising from their research and to establish links with commercial partners. CRT facilitates the discovery, development and marketing of new cancer therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics and enabling technologies. CRT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cancer Research UK, the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Further information about CRT can be found at www.cancertechnology.com and about Cancer Research UK at www.cancerresearchuk.org.
CRT’s Discovery Laboratories build on Cancer Research UK’s investment in world-class research and focus on forming drug discovery alliances with industry, to develop potential novel therapies based on the cancer targets identified in academic research.
About Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated.
Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last forty years.
Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years within the next 20 years.
Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.