On August 6, 2003 Cancer Research Technology Ltd. (CRT), the technology transfer arm of the charity Cancer Research UK, and the technology transfer agent for the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NCI) in Amsterdam, reported that it recently entered into a license agreement granting GlaxoSmithKline exclusive worldwide rights to CRT’s Patent Application WO 00/69390 (the Patent) (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, AUG 6, 2003, View Source [SID1234523460]). The Patent covers technology relating to a novel target that enhances the oral bioavailability of certain cytotoxic oncology drugs, including topotecan. The terms of the Agreement remain confidential.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The Patent was initially filed by the NCI and is based upon the work of Professor Jan Schellens and Dr Alfred Schinkel. They showed that inhibition of a transporter protein from the family of transporters containing known multi-drug resistance proteins, could also be targeted to enhance the uptake of oncology drugs such as topotecan when orally administered.

Cancer Research Technology stated that it was happy to act as a conduit for the development of this important finding and hopes the Patent’s technology will eventually bring benefit to cancer patients worldwide. CRT initially undertook to cover the costs of the patent prosecution while the technology was being developed and CRT looked for a suitable commercial licensee.