Cambridge, UK - 28th June 2004

KuDOS Pharmaceuticals Limited, a leading private oncology company, has signed agreements with The University of Cambridge and Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT), the technology transfer company of the charity Cancer Research UK, to ensure continued access to the technology generated in Professor Stephen Jackson's laboratory at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute of Cancer and Developmental Biology at the University of Cambridge.  The agreements enable KuDOS continued access to Professor Jackson's innovative research into DNA repair.

KuDOS is currently developing potent and highly selective small molecule therapies that block DNA repair in cancer cells, making tumours more vulnerable to the fatal DNA-disrupting effects of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Such small molecules promise a significant breakthrough in cancer management, particularly in therapy-resistant tumours, which commonly occur and contribute significantly towards poor prognosis.

Recent developments have greatly improved the understanding of the mechanisms used by cells to identify and repair breaks in DNA, and the potential for drugs that target DNA repair in the treatment of a range of human diseases including cancer.

Professor Jackson is the Frederick James Quick Professor of Biology at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute of Cancer and Developmental Biology. He is also the founder and Chief Scientific Officer at KuDOS Pharmaceuticals.

Professor Jackson, said: "We are delighted to continue the commercial relationship between the University of Cambridge, CRT and KuDOS. These agreements will facilitate further research into this new and exciting area, and could have a significant impact on the treatment of cancer."

"Cancer Research UK have for some time supported the high quality research carried out in Prof Jackson's laboratory and CRT was instrumental in the formation of KuDOS, which has rapidly translated this basic science into potential new medicines. These agreements are an extension of the mutually beneficial relationship all three parties continue to enjoy," said Dr Keith Blundy, Chief Operating Officer of CRT.

Dr David Secher, Director of Research Services at the University of Cambridge, said: "These two agreements between the University of Cambridge/CRT and KuDOS Pharmaceuticals will provide the opportunity to further develop Professor Jackson's substantial research into therapies that can help with cancer treatment and management.  Cambridge Enterprise was pleased to negotiate the agreements on behalf of the University and wishes KuDOS further success."

For more information please contact:

KuDOS Pharmaceuticals
Cheryl Bishop
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 719 719

Ben Atwell / Francetta Carr
Financial Dynamics
Tel: +44 (0) 207 831 3113

University of Cambridge
Karen Dean, Press and Publications Office
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 332300; kjd42@cam.ac.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

1.KuDOS Pharmaceuticals Limited holds a leading position in the discovery and development of drugs based upon the science of DNA damage sensing, signalling and repair to address unmet medical needs in cancer treatment. The company develops small molecule drugs that selectively inhibit the repair process in cancer cells thus facilitating their destruction and improving cancer management.

2.KuDOS currently has two drugs in clinical trials: Patrin™, which is being developed for the treatment of cancers resistant to alkylating agents, and AQ4N, which targets hypoxic regions of tumours. Research continues on DNA-PK, ATM, PARP and mTOR inhibitors, with a candidate compound for PARP currently in preclinical assessment. Further information on KuDOS can be found on the Company's website: http://www.kudospharma.co.uk

3.The Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute of Cancer and Developmental Biology were formed by the charities the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK. The Institute provides a modern research facility where clinical and basic science converge to progress the study of human disease. More information is available at http://www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk .

4.Cambridge Enterprise facilitates the commercial development of University intellectual property. Staff manage all aspects of patents, copyright, company creation, initial investment, fund raising and associated contractual arrangements. Income from patents and software exceeds £1.6m a year and is growing. Cambridge Enterprise licenses patents and other intellectual property to existing companies, both large and small, as well as to spinouts formed to exploit University technology. Working together with venture capital funds, University staff and students form around twenty-five new companies each year (about five are based on University intellectual property). The University holds equity in over 40 such companies. Cambridge Enterprise can be found at http://www.rsd.cam.ac.uk/enterprise .

5.Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT) is a specialist technology transfer company which aims to develop new discoveries in cancer research for the benefit of cancer patients. CRT is wholly owned by Cancer Research UK, the largest independent funder of cancer research in the world. 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. Further information about CRT can be found at www.cancertechnology.com

6.Cancer Research UK is Europe's leading cancer charity, dedicated to research into the causes, prevention and treatment of cancer. We support the work of 3,000 scientists, doctors and nurses in over 80 academic centres across the UK, with an annual scientific spend of more than £190 million. Cancer Research UK is the European leader in the development of novel anti-cancer treatments; from their discovery at the laboratory bench to early clinical trials in cancer patients. Further information about Cancer Research UK can be found at www.cancerresearchuk.org

Return to top of page