Cancer Research Technology grants Waypharm option to novel platinum agents

Feb 5 2007

Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT), the cancer-focused development and commercialisation company, today announce that Waypharm S.A.S (Waypharm) has secured rights to evaluate Thioplatin a novel hypoxia-responsive platinum-based cancer therapy, from CRT.

Under the terms of the agreement, CRT has granted Waypharm an exclusive 6-month option to in-license worldwide development and commercialisation rights to the Thioplatin programme. CRT will receive an upfront payment for the option, and has agreed licensing fees, development-related milestones and royalty payments following successful development and commercialisation by Waypharm.

The Thioplatin programme stems from research conducted by Professor Eberhard Amtmann of the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, and Dr Gerhard Schilling of the University of Heidelberg. The scientists have developed platinum compounds that display enhanced activity under the hypoxic conditions of solid tumours. Such tumour selectivity could allow the administration of higher doses of this new class of platinum drug without the usual neutropenic and neuropathological toxicities that are associated with other platinum drugs.

Within the programme a lead compound, TP-2, has been selected and will be licensed along with a package of preclinical data, including formulation and stability studies. Waypharm will use its formulation expertise and recently accredited production facilities outside of Paris, to optimise a liposomal formulation for entry into Phase I trials.