19th August 2002
Cancer Pathway Targeted by a Collaboration between De Novo Pharmaceuticals Ltd and The University of Newcastle and Cancer Research Ventures Ltd
De Novo Pharmaceuticals Ltd, The Northern Institute for Cancer Research at the University of Newcastle and Cancer Research Ventures Ltd are pleased to announce that they have entered into a collaborative agreement for the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction. The MDM2-p53 pathway is a target which is implicated in the suppression of abnormal cell proliferation, and therefore may have therapeutic potential in several forms of cancer.
Under the terms of the collaboration, full details of which have not been disclosed, De Novo Pharmaceuticals will provide drug discovery expertise through their suite of proprietary software to develop small molecule inhibitors based on seed molecules provided by The Northern Institute for Cancer Research. The Northern Institute for Cancer Research and Cancer Research Ventures have considerable expertise in this research area and will provide medicinal chemistry and screening for the output of the collaboration.
Dr Ian Hardcastle of The Northern Institute for Cancer Research commented, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with De Novo Pharmaceuticals in our quest for novel small molecule drug candidates against this important protein target. We believe this collaboration with De Novo will enable the Northern Institute for Cancer Research and Cancer Research Ventures to accelerate research against this important therapeutic target".
Dr Steven Beasley, Chief Operating Officer of De Novo, added, "Our discovery portfolio concentrates on key target areas where there is an urgent need for high quality leads with potential for rapid progression into development. As we move forwards, we are building a network of efficient and flexible collaborations with academic groups and Universities where this adds value to the Company. We are delighted to be working with The Northern Institute for Cancer Research and Cancer Research Ventures Ltd, who have done much of the pioneering work on this important target.''
"CRV are delighted to be able to facilitate this collaboration which highlights the quality of Cancer Research UK-funded science at The University of Newcastle, a leading institution in the fight against cancer" said Dr Guy Wood-Gush, CRV Chief Executive.
For further information please contact:
Cancer Research Ventures Ltd
Dr Adrian Ibrahim, Business Manager, Tel: +44 (0)20 7291 3600
Email: aibrahim@cancertechnology.com
De Novo Pharmaceuticals
Steve Beasley, Chief Operating Officer, Tel: +44 (0)1223 238018
Email: steve.beasley@denovopharma.com
Notes to Editors:
De Novo Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
De Novo Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a fully integrated design based drug discovery company located in Cambridge UK, uses its proprietary computational software for drug design to create novel, patentable lead molecules as candidates for drug development against both enzyme and receptor based targets. De Novo's proprietary algorithms can convert ligand information or protein structure information in combination with medicinal chemistry rapidly into new chemical designs, maximising value within a pharmaceutical partner's research portfolio. In addition, De Novo applies its leading in silico drug discovery capabilities to its own in-house research programmes, generating high value lead candidates available for licensing. Further information can be found on our website www.denovopharma.com
The University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle is a founder member of the Russell Group comprising the 19 universities which are the leaders of research in the UK. Newcastle University has an internationally renowned research programme. It is among the top ten most successful in the UK at attracting research investment from Europe, with world-class biomedical scientists and clinical academics collaborating on "bench to bedside" translational research.
Website: www.ncl.ac.uk
The Northern Institute for Cancer Research (NICR)
The Northern Institute for Cancer Research (NICR) at the University of Newcastle is a multidisciplinary oncology institute that is developing new therapies for both adult and paediatric malignancies. The NICR is the focus for cancer research at the University of Newcastle and is funded by programme grants from Cancer Research UK, the Leukaemia Research Fund and the National Cancer Research Institute. The NICR has multiple collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry and was graded 5* in the recent HEFCE Research Assessment Exercise. Approaches to new cancer therapies being explored include the individualisation of patient therapy on the basis of pharmacological and molecular genetic data, and the development of new drugs targeted at tumour-selective lesions, of which MDM2-p53 is an excellent example.
Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/cancer.research/
Cancer Research Ventures Limited (CRV)
CRV is an independent technology transfer company that invests resources, and research money into patenting and developing exciting cancer related intellectual property with a view to partnering industry or forming start-ups to bring new therapeutics to market. CRV has a pedigree history having originally been set up out of the Cancer Research Campaign which has now joined forces with the Imperial Cancer Research Fund to form the largest cancer research funder in the UK, Cancer Research UK. CRV operates and offers its services on a 'no commercialisation - no fee' basis for academic institutes across Europe, USA and Asia.
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the world's largest independent cancer research organisation. It was formed in February 2002 as a result of a merger between the UK's two leading cancer research charities, Imperial Cancer Research Fund and The Cancer Research Campaign. With a team of 3,000 scientists, research doctors and nurses and an annual scientific spend of more than £130 million, it has a mission to conquer cancer through world class research.
Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org
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