SOURCE: Antisoma plc
Antisoma and The Institute of Cancer Research to collaborate on novel approach to cancer treatment
LONDON and CAMBRIDGE, MA--(Marketwire - October 7, 2008) -
Work carried out at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre
and at the Cancer Research UK Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, both of
which are at The Institute, showed that these compounds inhibit PPM1D
and selectively kill cells that over-express this phosphatase.
Over-expression of PPM1D occurs in many cases of cancer, and can be
readily detected. PPM1D inhibitors could therefore have potential as
highly targeted treatments for patients whose cancers are known to
express the phosphatase.
Antisoma plans to continue the preclinical development of PPM1D
inhibitors from The Institute's pipeline. Antisoma and The Institute
have also formed a collaboration to explore further the potential of
PPM1D-based approaches to cancer treatment. This work will continue
to take place at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre and
the Cancer Research UK Centre for Cancer Therapeutics.
Antisoma will make an immediate upfront payment and fund certain
research at The Institute. Further payments will be made on
achievement of development and regulatory milestones, and royalties
will be paid on any sales of compounds resulting from the
collaboration.
Director of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at The
Institute, Professor Alan Ashworth, said: "This research marks
another step forward in our understanding of the basic biology
involved in the development of some cancers, and highlights the need
to develop treatments targeting the specific biology of different
tumours.
"This research exemplifies the ethos of the Breakthrough Breast
Cancer Research Centre - working in partnership with other
organisations to progress cutting-edge scientific research into
patient benefit. We look forward to continuing our research into
PPM1D inhibitors with Antisoma with the eventual aim of taking this
approach into clinical trials."
Professor Paul Workman, Director of the Cancer Research UK Centre for
Cancer Therapeutics at The Institute, said: "A partnership such as
this is crucial in allowing us to take this discovery from laboratory
to patients much faster than we could achieve on our own.
"Scientists at The Institute have discovered compounds which block
the effects of PPM1D, causing cancerous cells to self-destruct.
Through our partnership with Antisoma we hope to take the next step
towards developing a new drug treatment for cancer"
Antisoma's Chief Executive Officer, Glyn Edwards, said: "We are
delighted to be working with one of the world's leading cancer
research institutions. The Institute's PPM1D inhibitors are another
promising addition to our preclinical portfolio. They fit with our
strategy of acquiring a diverse range of novel preclinical compounds
with potential to add value to our clinical pipeline in the future."
Antisoma is a London Stock Exchange-listed biopharmaceutical company
that develops novel products for the treatment of cancer. The Company
has operations in the UK and the US. Please visit
www.antisoma.com for further information about Antisoma.
Background on The Institute of Cancer Research
The Institute of Cancer Research is Europe's leading cancer research
centre with expert scientists working on cutting edge research. It
was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer
and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis,
treatment and care. The Institute is a charity that relies on
voluntary income. The Institute is one of the world's most
cost-effective major cancer research organisations with over 95p in
every pound of total income directly supporting research. For more
information please visit www.icr.ac.uk.
Background on Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the leading UK breast cancer charity
dedicated to fighting breast cancer through research, campaigning and
education. In 1999 Breakthrough established the UK's first dedicated
breast cancer research centre. The Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast
Cancer Research Centre is housed in the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green
building at The Institute of Cancer Research and was set up in
association with the Royal Marsden Hospital. The Centre is led by
Professor Alan Ashworth FRS. For more information about Breakthrough
Breast Cancer, visit the website at www.breakthrough.org.uk.
Background on Cancer Research UK
Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's
vision is to beat cancer. It carries out world-class research to
improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent,
diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer. Cancer Research UK
ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer
patients and helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is
being made and the choices each person can make. Cancer Research UK
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 7121 6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.uk.
Background on 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
Background on PPM1D and The Institute's PPM1D inhibitors
Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation - the addition of phosphate to
proteins and its subsequent removal - play a vital role in regulating
many cellular pathways. In cancer, these processes are often
disordered. Numerous cancer drugs target the kinase enzymes
responsible for phosphorylation, but relatively little progress has
been made to date in targeting the phosphatase enzymes responsible
for dephosphorylation.
Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have developed a
series of small molecules that inhibit the phosphatase PPM1D. The
PPM1D gene is located in a chromosomal region known to be amplified
in cancer. It has been detected in both breast cancer cell lines and
primary breast tumours, suggesting a role of PPM1D in cancer
development. Research at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research
Centre and the Cancer Research UK Centre for Cancer Therapeutics
involved using a high-throughput screening assay to identify
potential chemical inhibitors of the PPM1D protein. The Institute's
novel PPM1D inhibitors, in-licensed by Antisoma, have been shown
selectively and potently to inhibit the growth of human cancer cells
that overexpress
PPM1D.
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Cancer drug developer
Antisoma (
Enquiries:
Glyn Edwards, CEO
Daniel Elger, Director of Communications +44 (0)7909 915 068
Antisoma plc
Krista Eleftheriou
Press and Public Relations Manager +44(0)20 7153 5430
The Institute of Cancer Research
Laura Gibson
Senior PR Officer +44 (0)20 7025 2488
Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Josie Gray
Senior Press Officer +44 (0)20 7061 8309
Cancer Research Technology
Mark Court/Lisa Baderoon/Rebecca Skye +44 (0)20 7466 5000
Dietrich
Buchanan Communications
Brian Korb +1 646 378 2923
The Trout Group
Background on Antisoma
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