On September 4, 2006 Cancer Research Technology (CRT), the oncology-focused development and commercialisation company wholly owned by Cancer Research UK, reported that they have entered into an agreement with AstraZeneca focused on colorectal cancer (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, SEP 4, 2006, View Source [SID1234523395]).
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Within the agreement, the Cancer and Immunogenetics Laboratory led by Sir Walter Bodmer at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine will collaborate with AstraZeneca to characterise the expression of key genes involved in colorectal cancer. The Cancer and Immunogenetics laboratory will provide critical reagents and data and the programme of research will be undertaken by AstraZeneca. The findings of this collaboration will be shared by both CRT and AstraZeneca.
The data generated will be used to advance AstraZeneca’s proprietary anti-colorectal cancer programs by increasing the understanding of the link between molecular pathology of disease and efficacy of novel targeted therapeutics aimed at colorectal cancer. The results will assist in the identification of novel drug targets and in development of drugs that are effective against chemoresistant tumours.
According to Sir Walter Bodmer, "We are very excited by the opportunities offered by this collaboration between our laboratory in Oxford, CRT and AstraZeneca. The information collected will greatly enhance our ability to relate and target drug responses to the molecular pathology of colorectal cancers."
Dr. Les Hughes, Head of Cancer and Infection Research at AstraZeneca, adds, "This is a promising collaboration which builds on the strengths of both institutions. By combining our expertise I am confident that this partnership will result in findings which will ultimately benefit cancer patients."
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer worldwide. Each year an estimated one million people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, accounting for 8% of deaths from cancer. Current treatments for advanced disease are primarily palliative and the 5-year survival rate for patients with advanced colorectal cancer is less than 10%.