On May 15, 2008 Cancer Research Technology Ltd (CRT), the specialist oncology development and commercialisation company, reported the opening of a drug discovery laboratory in Cambridge, adding to Cancer Research UK’s strong presence in the region (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, MAY 15, 2008, View Source [SID1234523532]).

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CRT Cambridge will house around 25 medicinal chemists, biochemists and biologists in its building off Coldham’s Lane – conveniently located for access to the University of Cambridge and Cancer Research UK’s Cambridge Research Institute – with space for significant further expansion.

This is the first multi-disciplinary Discovery Laboratory for CRT to be established outside the main London laboratory at UCL’s Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research. In addition, small CRT laboratory groups are also being established at Cancer Research UK’s existing institutes in Manchester and Glasgow. This follows the placement of CRT knowledge transfer managers in these locations to be closer to the science and the scientists.

CRT’s Discovery Laboratories build on Cancer Research UK’s investment in world-class research, identifying potential novel therapies based on the cancer targets identified and validated in academia.

The need for expansion is driven by the successful progression of ground-breaking cancer discovery projects from early stage through to more resource intensive later stage projects. The expansion is also testament to the number of projects initiated on the back of discoveries arising from basic research funded by CRT’s parent charity, Cancer Research UK, and other partners throughout Europe and the US.

Dr Hamish Ryder, recently appointed to the role of Director of Discovery at CRT, said: "We’re delighted to be opening this unique drug discovery resource in Cambridge. It will help us to meet growing demand and enable projects to be completed more quickly, ensuring potential therapies are identified and progressed efficiently. We also hope to create many new partnerships with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to supplement their drug development pipelines."

The announcement comes ahead of CRT’s presence at BIO2008, the world’s largest biotech conference, taking place in San Diego, USA, where CRT will launch partnering activities related to several exciting programmes from CRT’s laboratories.

CRT’s Discovery Laboratories execute both small molecule and biotherapeutic projects. Staff are drawn from academia and industry – and both communities will benefit from the expansion of these laboratories. CRT Cambridge consolidates CRT’s leading global position in translational drug discovery and biotherapeutic development.

Dr Keith Blundy, CEO of CRT, said: "The opening of CRT Cambridge forms part of our five-year expansion plan, which aims to locate CRT research staff close to or within major Cancer Research UK Institutes. We hope this exciting period of development will increase integration of basic and applied research, and ultimately benefit patients."