CRT and The Beatson Institute Announce Research Collaboration in Tumour Imaging with AstraZeneca
London, Glasgow UK, Tuesday 17 July 2007 – Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT), the oncology-focused development and commercialisation company and The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow (Beatson Institute) today announce a new research collaboration with AstraZeneca to develop optical imaging techniques for use in cancer research.
The three-year research collaboration will be funded by AstraZeneca and focus on the development of cutting-edge real-time fluorescence and confocal imaging techniques. Studies based at the Beatson Institute and led by Cancer Research UK-funded scientists there will develop non-invasive imaging technologies for studying tumour progression, including the investigation of tumour development, invasion and metastasis. The work will form part of a wider initiative by the Beatson Institute to develop imaging as a key technology underpinning its basic cancer research programme.
The collaboration will initially involve the development and validation of fluorescent probes and reporters for deep tissue imaging of specific biological targets. These will be further developed for the detection of tumour cells, identification of apoptosis or assessment of blood flow. Ultimately, the studies aim to investigate the mechanism of tumour invasion and assess the effect of therapeutic or molecular intervention. In addition, methods and software packages for quantifying image data will be explored.
The development of techniques for tumour imaging in real-time is likely to generate important new information relating to the effects of interventions, thereby accelerating drug development.
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Contact:
Cancer Research Technology Limited
Michael Regnier, 020 7061 8300; press.office@cancer.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
About the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research
The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research is one of Europe’s leading cancer research institutions and is engaged in studying the molecular basis of cancer. Its mission is to understand the mechanisms that regulate cancer cell proliferation, survival and dissemination; identify critical components of these pathways as targets for novel cancer therapies; and help translate this knowledge to patient benefit. The Institute is core-funded by Cancer Research UK and is located in the leafy Garscube Estate on the north-western edge of Glasgow. It will be moving into a new state-of-the-art building in autumn 2007. Further information about the Beatson Institute can be found at www.beatson.gla.ac.uk.
About Cancer Research Technology
Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT) is an oncology-focused development and commercialisation company that realises cancer patient benefit from publicly-funded research worldwide. CRT works closely with leading international cancer scientists, their institutes and funding bodies to protect, develop and commercialise oncology-related discoveries. 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.
About 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
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $26.47 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4 Good Index. For more information visit www.astrazeneca.com.
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