Potential new breast cancer treatments developed by Park member Astex Pharmaceuticals have taken a significant step forward after the company announced a major research collaboration with Genentech, part of the Roche Group.
The collaboration will bring together Astex’s internationally recognised drug discovery expertise with Genentech’s global oncology capabilities to accelerate the development of promising new medicines for patients with breast cancer – one of the world’s most common cancers.
The programme builds on research pioneered by Astex through a long-standing collaboration with Newcastle University and Cancer Research Horizons, demonstrating how years of scientific discovery can progress towards treatments with the potential to improve – and ultimately save – lives.
Under the agreement, Astex will grant Genentech an exclusive licence to compounds from its breast cancer drug discovery programme and will work alongside its new partner to further optimise and develop the most promising candidates. Genentech will lead all preclinical and clinical development, as well as the worldwide commercialisation of any medicines arising from the collaboration.
Michelle Jones, President of Astex Pharmaceuticals, said: “Working together with colleagues from Newcastle University, Astex’s fragment-based drug discovery expertise has led to the discovery of a novel and innovative approach to selectively inhibit this key oncology target for breast cancer therapy. Genentech’s expertise in oncology and longstanding dedication to innovation for breast cancer patients makes it an excellent partner for this collaboration. Together, we aim to build on our progress and accelerate compounds into development in a rapidly emerging area of unmet need.”
Based at Cambridge Science Park, Astex is a global leader in small molecule drug discovery and development. The collaboration highlights the role of the Park’s life sciences community in translating world-class research into innovations that have the potential to benefit patients around the world.
The agreement also reflects the growing international demand for the expertise being developed at Cambridge Science Park, where companies continue to tackle some of healthcare’s biggest challenges through cutting-edge science and innovation.