Novozymes, University College London and Cancer Research Technology Conclude Collaboration Agreement
London, UK; 11th September 2007 - Cancer Research Technology Ltd (CRT), the specialist oncology development and commercialisation company, today announces a new technology licence agreement and collaboration between researchers at UCL (University College London) and Novozymes Delta UK Ltd (Nottingham, UK) to develop novel anti-cancer therapeutics.
The new programme of collaborative research will draw on the expertise of both parties. The collaboration will generate anti-CEA scFv molecules which will be genetically fused with albumin using Novozymes proprietary albufuseTM technology for future therapeutic or preventive applications.
Previous research funded by Cancer Research UK and led by Prof Richard Begent and Dr Kerry Chester at the Royal Free and University College Medical School, UCL, has generated an anti-CEA single chain antibody fragment (scFV) called MFE-23 and related derivatives. MFE-23 is a high-affinity single chain antibody fragment against CEA, a tumour-associated antigen expressed in a wide variety of cancers including GI tract, breast, lung and prostate. MFE-23 shows exceptional specificity for tumour-associated CEA.
albufuseTM, albumin fusion technology, pioneered by Novozymes is a simple but flexible technology for the production of proteins with extended circulatory half-life. albufuseTM has been scientifically proven with a number of therapeutically relevant proteins.
Dr Dave Mead, Novozymes Delta’s Business Development Director, commented: "MFE-23 has great potential and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with CRT in the fight against cancer. We are confident that our albumin fusion technology can enhance this molecule’s bioavailability and efficacy. This is a great example of how Novozymes’ bioinnovation will sustain and enhance the development of biopharmaceuticals in the future."
CRT will lead on commercialising the intellectual property that will arise from the project, using Novozymes Delta’s proprietary technology. At the end of the collaboration, CRT will seek an industrial partner to develop MFE-23 for clinical use.
Dr Phil L’Huillier, CRT’s director of business management, said: "MFE-23 clearly has a great deal of potential, both in therapeutic and preventive applications relating to cancer. Novozymes brings a tremendous amount of expertise and IP in terms of the yeast expression and albumin fusion technology, as well as its proven cGMP manufacturing experience. Through this collaboration, our academic partners will be able to develop the technology and create a very attractive proposition for commercialisation. And that could bring the benefits of their research to cancer patients sooner."
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact the Cancer Research Technology Ltd press office on 020 7061 8309 or, out of hours, the duty press officer on 07050 264059.
Notes to editors:
CEA = Carcinoembryonic antigen
Cancer Research Technology
Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT) is a specialist commercialisation and development company, which aims to develop new discoveries in cancer research for the benefit of cancer patients. CRT works closely with leading international cancer scientists and their institutes to protect intellectual property arising from their research and to establish links with commercial partners. CRT facilitates the discovery, development and marketing of new cancer therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics and enabling technologies. CRT is wholly owned by Cancer Research UK, the largest independent funder of cancer research in the world. Further information about CRT can be found at www.CancerTechnology.com
Cancer Research UK
Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer. The charity carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer. It ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients. Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is being made and the choices each person can make. The charity works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer. For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7009 8820 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org
UCL
Founded in 1826, UCL was the first English university established after Oxford and Cambridge, the first to admit students regardless of race, class, religion or gender, and the first to provide systematic teaching of law, architecture and medicine. In the government’s most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 59 UCL departments achieved top ratings of 5* and 5, indicating research quality of international excellence.
UCL is the fourth-ranked UK university in the 2006 league table of the top 500 world universities produced by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. UCL alumni include Mahatma Gandhi, Jonathan Dimbleby, Lord Woolf, Alexander Graham Bell, and members of the band Coldplay.
About Novozymes
Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries, we create tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, improving our customers' business and the use of our planet's resources.
With over 700 products used in 130 countries, Novozymes’ bioinnovations improve industrial performance and safeguard the world’s resources by offering superior and sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s ever-changing marketplace.
Novozymes’ natural solutions enhance and promote everything from removing trans-fats in food, to advancing biofuels to power the world tomorrow. Our never-ending exploration of nature’s potential is evidenced by over 4,500 patents, showing what is possible when nature and technology join forces.
Our 4,500+ employees working in research, production and sales around the world are committed to shaping business today and our world tomorrow.
Novozymes is quoted on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange (NZYMB).
Read more at www.biopharmaceuticals.novozymes.com.
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