On December 7th, 2015 Servier reproted that Novartis has exercised an option to expand its research agreement to include anti-Mcl-1 drug candidates (Press release, Servier, DEC 7, 2015, View Source [SID:1234508830]). Mcl-1, one of the most frequently amplified genes in cancer cells, is involved in cancer cell survival, but no selective and potent inhibitor has been developed yet.
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In 2014 the companies entered into a strategic global collaboration to develop and commercialize specific Bcl-2 inhibitors from Servier research programs that are partnered with Vernalis (Press Release, May 2014). These molecules are inducing apoptosis in cancer cells by neutralizing anti-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family.
Under the terms of the collaboration expansion, Servier and Novartis now extend their collaboration to co-develop and commercialize anti-Mcl-1 drug candidates. Servier remains responsible for research activities on the whole apoptosis program and will share responsibilities with Novartis to conduct preclinical development and worldwide clinical development programs. Commercialization rights to products arising from the collaboration will be allocated between the parties on a geographic basis.
Jean-Pierre Abastado, Ph.D., Director of the Center of Therapeutic Innovation in Oncology at Servier, said: "We are excited to expand our collaboration with Novartis. For many years we have worked to discover compounds inhibiting Bcl-2 family members whose deregulation plays a major role in the aberrant survival of cancer cells. Our ultimate goal is to bring these innovative therapies targeting apoptosis to patients suffering from cancers."
Emmanuel Canet, M.D., Ph.D., President of Servier R&D commented that "this significant collaboration with one of the leaders in the field today reinforces Servier innovative approach in oncology research and its commitment to provide cancer patients with novel options to treat blood cancers as well as solid tumors."
About Mcl-1 target and Bcl-2 protein family
Mcl-1 is part of a closely related group of proteins known as the ‘Bcl-2 family’ are crucial inhibitors of apoptosis, the programmed cell death. Deregulations of this protein family play a major role in the aberrant survival of cancer cells. Pro-survival Bcl-2 family members have been recognized as attractive therapeutic targets in oncology for more than twenty years but drug discovery research on this class of targets is particularly challenging and requires innovative chemistry supported by structural biology. Both hematological malignancies and solid tumors could be targeted by these novel drug candidates.