TWO CANCER RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY DEALS SHORTLISTED FOR LEADING INDUSTRY AWARDS

On September 16, 2014 Cancer Research Technology (CRT) reported that they have received two nominations in the SCRIP Awards 2014 shortlist (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, SEP 16, 2014, View Source [SID1234523517]).

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Best Partnership Alliance: FORMA Therapeutics’ and Cancer Research Technology’s DUBs Drug Discovery Team

The Best Partnership Alliance Award seeks to reward innovative partnerships between companies in which they share the risks and rewards inherent in developing new drugs.

This agreement with FORMA Therapeutics pairs FORMA’s drug discovery capabilities with CRT’s expertise in translating academic discoveries through our Discovery Laboratories (CRT-DL) and the exclusive world-class academic network of Cancer Research UK Principal Investigators. The research initiative aims to discover innovative tools, technologies and therapeutic drug candidates against a variety of protein homeostasis regulators called deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs).

To make the shortlist, our entry demonstrated the strong strategic input from both partners and the innovative nature of the deal structure.

Dr Hamish Ryder, CRT-DL’s director of discovery said: "This is well-deserved recognition for the DUBs team, who together are significantly accelerating our understanding of the relevant biological applications of DUBs. The nomination also endorses CRT-DL’s alliance model, which brings together the best minds from industry and academia to prosecute multiple targets in a themed area of cancer biology. This proven approach combines scientific expertise, cultivates innovation and reduces risk."

Licensing Deal of the Year: AstraZeneca and Cancer Research Technology for AZD2098

The second award recognises both the monetary and strategic value of the licensing deal and the benefits to both sides.

This agreement with AstraZeneca was made under the Clinical Development Partnerships (CDP) scheme, a joint initiative between Cancer Research UK’s Drug Development Office (DDO) and CRT to bring new life to promising therapies that have been de-prioritised. The deal will enable DDO to complete preclinical development and carry out early stage clinical development of AZD2098, an experimental drug originally designed for the treatment of asthma, as a novel therapy for kidney cancer.

Dr Phil L’Huillier, CRT’s director of business development, said: "It’s fantastic that this CDP agreement has been recognised as one of the leading licensing deals of the year. CDP is an innovative initiative, designed to bring breakthrough treatments to cancer patients sooner."

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 3rd December 2014.