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CRT announces partnership with Cephalon to develop a new class of anti-cancer drugs

On March 19, 2010 Cancer Research Technology (CRT) reported an exclusive agreement with Cephalon, Inc., an international biotechnology company, to collaborate on the development of small molecule inhibitors (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, MAR 19, 2010, View Source [SID1234523338]). These molecules will target specific members of the Protein Kinase C superfamily of cell signalling proteins – which have been shown to be associated with the development of cancer.

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The collaborative development programme will progress CRT’s promising lead compounds through to the selection of pre-clinical candidate molecules. Under the terms of the agreement CRT will be entitled to significant upfront and milestone payments, and upon achievement of specific product sales targets, a double-digit royalty rate.

These small molecule inhibitors will target specific variants – called isoforms – of the Protein Kinase C family. The isoforms at the centre of the collaboration have been strongly implicated in the development of cancer. Cancer Research UK-funded researchers Professors Peter Parker and Neil McDonald, working within its world class London Research Institute, significantly contributed to the structural biology of these targets and their validation as important players in cancer cell growth and spread.

New chemical compounds have been rapidly progressed towards lead candidates using CRT Discovery Laboratories drug screening, specialist cancer biology and medicinal chemistry expertise. The aim of this cross-discipline, two-centre collaboration, is to generate pre-clinical candidate molecules for development by Cephalon into new drug therapies for cancer patients.

Cephalon will contribute substantial resources which will boost existing investment by Cancer Research UK, and allow quicker translation of potential drugs that may benefit cancer patients. The work will take place at CRT’s Discovery Laboratories in London and Cephalon’s research and development facility in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Dr Keith Blundy, chief executive of Cancer Research Technology, said: "The agreement with Cephalon is a major milestone for CRT’s Discovery Laboratories being the first of its small molecule discovery programmes to partner with an international biopharmaceutical company. This unique collaboration will enable us to drive forward the development of potential innovative cancer medicines."

Dr. John Mallamo, Vice President of Worldwide Chemical R&D at Cephalon said: "This collaboration between Cephalon and CRT creates a critical mass of biology and chemistry expertise, capable of quickly advancing the high quality lead series CRT has identified, and provides Cephalon with an expanded oncology discovery portfolio. Cephalon is very pleased to be able to join forces with CRT to discover and develop first-in-class therapies in our fight against cancer."

VERNALIS ACHIEVES $3M MILESTONE PAYMENT ON HSP90 INHIBITOR COLLABORATION WITH NOVARTIS

On March 15, 2010 Vernalis plc (LSE: VER) reported the achievement of a milestone under the company’s collaboration with Novartis on the oncology target Hsp90 (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, MAR 15, 2010, View Source [SID1234523528]). The $3 million milestone is triggered by the first dosing in a Phase II proof of concept clinical trial of AUY-922, an Hsp90 inhibitor, in a range of solid tumours.

Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis said "We are delighted that our programme with Novartis has progressed into Phase II and we look forward to the results of the current Phase II proof of concept study which Novartis has indicated are targeted for 2010".

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TRANSGENE SIGNS AN EXCLUSIVE OPTION WITH NOVARTIS FOR MUC1 PRODUCT FROM CRT.

On March 10, 2010 Transgene S.A. (Euronext Paris: FR0005175080) reported the signing of an exclusive option agreement with Novartis for the development and commercialisation of Transgene’s targeted immunotherapy product, TG4010 (MVA-MUC1-IL2), for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other potential cancer indications (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, MAR 10, 2010, View Source [SID1234523529]).

SCOLR Pharma and RedHill Biopharma enter into Licensing Agreement

On May 6, 2010 SCOLR Pharma, Inc. reported that it has executed a Licensing Agreement with RedHill Biopharma Ltd. an Israeli corporation, (RedHill), granting RedHill the worldwide rights to market and sell ondansetron tablet formulations based on SCOLR’s proprietary extended delivery technology (CDT) (Press release, RedHill Biopharma, MAR 6, 2010, View Source [SID1234515924]). Ondansetron hydrochloride is the active ingredient in Zofran, GlaxoSmithKline’s drug to prevent chemotherapy and radiation related nausea and vomiting.

Under the terms of the Licensing Agreement, RedHill has agreed to make up front and additional payments to SCOLR up to $600,000 based on achievement of certain regulatory milestones and the first commercial sale of the product and thereafter make payments to the Company up to a maximum of $30 million based on the aggregate net sales by RedHill of the licensed product over a ten year period.

Stephen J. Turner, SCOLR Pharma’s President and CEO, said, "We believe RedHill is a strong partner to collaborate with for the further development of our CDT-based ondansetron tablet formulations. As SCOLR continues to progress its pipeline of products, we will look for key strategic alliances, such as this licensing agreement with RedHill, to maximize the value of our pharmaceutical and nutritional product portfolio."

Dror Ben-Asher, RedHill’s CEO, said, "CDT-based ondansetron is the latest addition to RedHill’s fast-growing pipeline of late clinical-stage drugs. We are excited about our partnership with SCOLR and intend to vigorously execute upon our development plans for CDT-based ondansetron."

Cancer Research UK and immatics Biotechnologies to trial vaccine for brain cancer

On February 16, 2010 CANCER RESEARCH UK and Cancer Research Technology – the charity’s development and commercialisation arm – reported to have reached a collaboration agreement with immatics biotechnologies to trial their new treatment vaccine, IMA950, for glioblastoma multiforme (GMB), one of the most common forms of brain cancer* (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, FEB 16, 2010, View Source [SID1234523339]).

IMA950 is the fifth treatment to enter Cancer Research UK’s Clinical Development Partnerships (CDP) scheme and the second one to be completed this year**. The CDP programme allows companies to retain the rights to their treatment while enabling the charity to take on its early development work to assess if there is a potential benefit to cancer patients. This is the first treatment vaccine to enter the CDP programme.

IMA950 contains 11 peptides linked to glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of glioma. These peptides encourage the T cells in the immune system to recognise cancer cells and destroy them. In a phase I clinical trial that will open in the next year, up to 45 patients who have been newly diagnosed with this form of glioma will receive a number of doses of the vaccine, alongside routine surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.

The trial, will take place at four hospitals*** across the UK through Cancer Research UK’s Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre network and it will be managed by the charity’s Drug Development Office (DDO).

Under the terms of the partnership, Cancer Research UK will fund the trial. immatics Biotechnologies will then have an option to further develop and commercialise the drug in exchange for future payments to the charity. If they elect not to, the rights will be given to CRT to secure an alternative partner.

Dr Ian Walker, licensing manager at CRT, said: "We’re delighted to have formed this agreement with immatics Biotechnologies. Following rigorous peer-review of the scientific data, Cancer Research UK’s scientific committee decided that the potential of the vaccine should be investigated further and we are very pleased that the company sought the expertise of the charity to develop a potential new treatment."

Paul Higham, CEO of immatics said: "Cancer Research UK is a world-renowned cancer research organisation and we are delighted that through this collaboration we will be able to efficiently move our third therapeutic cancer vaccine into the clinic, highlighting the wide applicability and productivity of our technology platform."

Professor Roy Rampling, who will lead the study at Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre at the University of Glasgow, said: "The clinical trial will aim to find out if this vaccine targets and stimulates the patient’s immune system to fight the cancer.

Although we’re still planning the trial and are not ready to recruit patients yet, it’s exciting to be working on a possible new way to treat glioma."

Dr Victoria John, head of clinical partnerships at Cancer Research UK’s Drug Development Office, said: "We’re very pleased to be taking on the next stage of this vaccine’s development. This form of glioma is very difficult to treat successfully and we hope this trial will help to establish if the vaccine might offer another viable treatment option for people with this type of cancer."