On 2 December 2021 Oncology One Pty Ltd, reported a partnership with WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) to develop new drugs for the treatment of cancer, in collaboration with Curtin University (Press release, Oncology One, DEC 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234629324]).

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The collaboration centres on the development of novel small molecule drugs to treat solid tumours, initially focusing on breast cancer.

The project will seek to identify small molecule compounds that specifically inhibit a novel target in breast cancer that drives tumour growth. If successful, further work will need to be undertaken to refine these compounds towards candidate therapies, which could enter clinical trials in due course.

Chair of Oncology One’s Scientific Advisory Board, Dr Ian Street, said: "This project represents an important next step for Oncology One in building a pipeline of drug discovery programs that are highly differentiated and address unmet clinical needs. We have made great progress in early breast cancer detection, and this has had a dramatic effect on reducing mortality. However, if early disease is missed and the cancer metastasises, then unfortunately prognosis is poor. We are very much looking forward to a productive collaboration with David and Pieter, and the drug discovery and research teams at WEHI and Curtin".

This transcontinental project originated in the research labs of Professor David Komander at WEHI and Associate Professor Pieter Eichhorn at Curtin University. The objective is to develop a new therapeutic for treating metastatic ER+ breast cancers that have escaped current treatments. The new therapeutic also has the potential to address unmet clinical needs in other cancers such as colorectal and brain.

WEHI Ubiquitin Signalling Division Head, Professor David Komander, said: "The ubiquitin system offers many opportunities for innovative cancer treatments. We are delighted to work with Oncology One on this exciting project and to translate our research to benefit cancer patients. The project was initially born in a collaboration with Curtin University, and we are excited to draw upon our strengths and to work with industry to improve treatments for a disease that continues to impact so many lives."

Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in women and accounts for over 2 million cases and over 600,000 deaths per year worldwide according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The emergence of resistance to existing therapies is a major challenge in the treatment of many people with breast cancer, and new treatment modalities are urgently required to improve patient outcomes.

Curtin University Associate, Professor Pieter Eichorn, said: "While breast cancer survival rates have improved, there are millions of patients who don’t respond to current treatments. Through this collaboration drawing on the expertise of WEHI in drug discovery and Oncology One in drug development, we can find the best way to bring our cancer treatment discoveries to patients, and make a real difference to them and to their loved ones and families."