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Astex, The Wellcome Trust, The Institute of Cancer Research & CRT announce major cancer alliance

On March 22, 2004 Astex Technology, the fragment-based drug discovery company, together with The Wellcome Trust, the Institute of Cancer Research and Cancer Research Technology reported an exclusive collaboration relating to the discovery of novel drugs against the cancer target BRAF (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, MAR 22, 2004, View Source [SID1234523455]).

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BRAF was first identified as a key target implicated in a variety of cancers in 2002 when scientists from The Institute of Cancer Research, in partnership with scientists from the Cancer Genome Project at The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, discovered that the gene is involved in up to 70% of certain cancer types including malignant melanoma.

The Institute of Cancer Research, The Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research Technology began a drug discovery collaboration in 2003 to identify BRAF inhibitors, and have now been joined by Astex who will contribute expertise in fragment based drug discovery to the collaboration. Under the terms of the agreement, the partners have established a joint research team to identify and develop novel drug candidates for major indications in oncology. This programme will combine the expertise of the partners in fragment-based drug discovery, cancer biology and the preclinical and clinical development of cancer drugs.

Dr Harren Jhoti, Founder and CSO of Astex said, "We are extremely pleased to be part of this world-class team in this important and exciting new therapeutic opportunity for cancer. We look forward to developing novel drugs targeted against BRAF and bringing these to the clinic quickly with the expert support of our collaborators."

Dr Ted Bianco, Director, Technology Transfer, The Wellcome Trust, said "There is excellent synergy between the collaborating parties. Astex’s structure-based approach to drug discovery is highly complementary to the cancer therapeutic resources of the other parties. In partnership we can speed-up the drug development process and reach the clinic earlier"

Professor Peter Rigby, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research commented: "This collaboration holds great promise for future anti-cancer drug development. Here at The Institute we have been responsible for isolating more cancer genes, and taking more anti- cancer drugs into clinical trials than any other academic organisation in the world. We are delighted that our experts will be working alongside other world leaders in the field to develop drugs in the laboratory which can quickly be translated into patient benefit."

"This partnership further exemplifies CRTs role in bringing benefit to cancer patients by forming partnerships between cancer researchers and industry to accelerate the development of new therapies. Astex’s technologies and resources will add significantly to the rate of progress of the programme." said Keith Blundy, COO of Cancer Research Technology.

Charity to make breast cancer gene (BRCA2) gene freely available across europe

On February 11, 2004 Cancer Research UK reported that it secured a Europe-wide patent on the hereditary breast cancer gene BRCA2, in a move that will be welcomed by scientists across the continent(Press release, Cancer Research Technology, FEB 11, 2004, View Source [SID1234523456]).

The patent is based on pioneering work undertaken by Professor Mike Stratton’s team at The Institute of Cancer Research and funded by Cancer Research UK. T

he charity will allow public laboratories throughout Europe to use the patent for free, mirroring its actions in the UK, where it already holds a BRCA2 patent.

News of the award comes in the European Bulletin today (Wednesday), following a successful application to the European Patent Office.

The award will be a significant boost to cancer research throughout the continent, including Britain, where many scientists routinely collaborate with their European colleagues.

Professor Mike Stratton, who is funded by Cancer Research UK and works at The Institute of Cancer Research, discovered the BRCA2 gene back in 1995.

Inheriting a damaged version of the gene gives women a high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and men of developing prostate cancer. As well as being the focus of a wide variety of research projects, testing for variants of BRCA2 is important when providing genetic counselling and advising on preventative treatment for people with a strong family history of cancer.

Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT), the commercial subsidiary of Cancer Research UK, filed the application and is the legal holder of the patent. The patent covers all attempts to sequence the gene or to test for damaged and inactive variants. Usually, any laboratory wanting to investigate the BRCA2 gene would have to pay a license fee to the patent holder, but CRT has agreed in principle to waive the fees for all public labs that apply to it.

Professor Peter Rigby, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, says: "We’re extremely proud as this patent means that the discovery of the BRCA2 gene, which was made here at The Institute, will be freely available for our colleagues throughout Europe to research. We look forward to working with them to further our understanding of how this gene works, and to develop new treatments that will prevent the destructive effect it can have on generations of families."

Professor Alex Markham, Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive, says: "BRCA2 plays a central role in the inheritance of some important forms of cancer and we’re delighted to have secured the patent for the gene in Europe.

"If the BRCA patents had been owned entirely by private companies, it would have made research into the inheritance of cancer far more expensive and made it costly for doctors to provide genetic services for those with a strong family history."

CRT grants AstraZeneca an exclusive license to a key patent in the field of nuclear receptors

On December 1, 2004 Cancer Research Technology Limited reported that AstraZeneca has licensed exclusive worldwide rights to a patent family relating to a nuclear receptor/co-activator binding motif (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, JAN 12, 2004, View Source [SID1234523443]).

Nuclear receptors require co-activator binding in order to activate gene transcription. Ligand-induced nuclear receptor conformational changes facilitate the recruitment of certain co-activators through the recognition of a specific motif contained within the co-activator protein. Prof. Malcolm Parker’s studies, funded by Cancer Research UK, identified this motif within the co-activator protein known as the LXXLL motif (where L is Leucine and X is any amino acid).

The nuclear receptor family represents a plethora of therapeutic targets for many clinical conditions. AstraZeneca’s research interests initially will focus on the area of respiratory and inflammation; however, broader application is possible across all of the company’s research areas. Targeting the nuclear receptor/co-activator interaction represents an alternative strategy for the inhibition of nuclear receptors.

ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Changes Its Name To Valeant Pharmaceuticals International

On November 12, 2003 ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: ICN) reported that the company has changed its name to
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to reflect its transformation into an integrated, global specialty pharmaceutical company (Press release, ICN Pharmaceuticals, NOV 12, 2003, View Source [SID:1234513525]). The name change, effective immediately, will be implemented worldwide. The company will continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Its trading symbol will change to VRX effective with the start of trading on November 14, 2003.

"Our new name embodies the core principles that underpin this newly invigorated pharmaceutical company," said Robert W. O’Leary, Valeant’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "In recent months, our company has been entirely rebuilt — and reenergized — to reflect the principles and qualities of our people."

Timothy C. Tyson, Valeant’s President and Chief Operating Officer, noted, "Valeant has made rapid strides in the past year-and-a-half under a new management team that has laid out a strategic vision for the company and implemented major changes in product management, research and development, corporate governance and business development. Our new name represents our focus on value and supports our vision to be a leading, fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company with a robust research and development capability and a worldwide capacity to commercialize products."

In recent months, the company has:
— Launched a new strategic direction focused on specialty pharmaceuticals, and divested non-core businesses;

— Implemented a business plan centered on nine global brands in three key therapeutic areas and 10 major markets, which are expected to drive top-line growth;

— Executed a new global manufacturing strategy, including a rationalization plan that involves selling eight of the company’s 13 remaining manufacturing facilities, and is expected to generate cumulative savings over five years of $150 – $200 million;

— Repurchased the outstanding shares of Ribapharm, Inc. held by the public to provide a research and development infrastructure to support our vision and future growth;

— Achieved a significant reduction in corporate expenses with more than $21 million in cost savings already in place; and,

— Restructured and invigorated board committees, implemented major corporate governance initiatives and instituted an employee code of conduct.

The name change will be officially announced today at an event for Valeant employees at the company’s headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., along with announcements at the company’s facilities around the world, and advertisements in The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, The New York Times, Pharmaceutical Executive and MedAd News. New signage was unveiled at the company’s headquarters this morning. The company’s new Web site, www.valeant.com, will also be launched today.

Antisoma in-licenses telomerase inhibitor programme from CRT

On September 10, 2003 Antisoma, the biopharmaceutical company specialising in novel anti-cancer drugs, reported that it has in-licensed a programme of telomerase inhibitors from Cancer Research Technology Ltd, the technology transfer arm of the charity Cancer Research UK (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, SEP 10, 2003, View Source [SID1234523458]). This programme was developed by Professor Stephen Neidle, working first at the Institute of Cancer Research and more recently at the University of London School of Pharmacy. Under the licensing agreement, Antisoma has obtained rights to a number of existing molecules and an option on further telomerase inhibitors generated by Professor Neidle’s group over the next three years.

Telomeres are the protective regions found at the ends of chromosomes (the structures into which the genetic material, DNA, is packaged in each cell of the human body). In normal cells, telomeres act as a ‘life clock’, shortening slightly each time the cell divides. Once the telomeres fall below a critical length, the cell undergoes the self-destruct process known as apoptosis or programmed cell death. This is part of the natural process of cellular ageing and removal of old cells to be replaced by new ones. Cancer cells make an enzyme called telomerase that allows them to maintain their telomeres at a length just sufficient to avoid entering the self-destruct pathway. Telomerase thus enables cancer cells to divide continually and indefinitely, a property fundamental to the progression of the disease. By blocking the action of this enzyme, telomerase inhibitors can prevent the maintenance of telomeres and force cancer cells into apoptosis.

Glyn Edwards, CEO of Antisoma, said ‘Telomerase inhibitors have the potential for broad application against both solid and blood cancers because the telomerase enzyme is important to all types of cancer cell. This programme is an excellent addition to our preclinical portfolio.’