BioInvent International AB (OMXS: BINV) and Cancer Research Technology
Ltd (CRT), the commercial arm of Cancer Research UK, announced today
that they have entered a collaboration with Queen Mary, University of
London, to identify new therapeutic antibodies in oncology.
BioInvent and scientists funded by Cancer Research UK at Queen Mary,
under the leadership of Dr Thorsten Hagemann, senior research fellow,
Cancer Research UK, will jointly be looking for new therapeutic targets
by applying BioInvent's F.I.R.S.T.™ technology, a functional approach to
therapeutic antibody discovery. Dr Hagemann and his team will in return
provide the collaboration with biological pathways for the development
of new oncology therapies.
The F.I.R.S.T.™ platform, through its ground-breaking proprietary
biopanning technology, enables identification of functionally superior
antibodies across multiple targets overexpressed by target cells. This
combined target and drug discovery platform utilizes primary cancer
patient cells, rather than recombinant proteins, as an antigen source
allowing for discovery of novel specificities (receptors and epitopes)
and target receptor functions.
The agreement gives BioInvent the option to enter into licenses to bring
forward drug candidates beyond lead candidate identification in exchange
for milestones and royalties to CRT.
Cancer Research UK's scientist Dr Thorsten Hagemann said: "By combining
the preclinical expertise in animal models within my laboratory and our
access to patient samples with BioInvent's F.I.R.S.T.™ technology we
hope to speed up the discovery and development of new possible
treatments. We will focus primarily on targets which affect the
pro-tumour role of myeloid cells in solid malignancies, an area in which
my lab has developed significant experience. We would anticipate such
therapies to be applicable across a range of tumour types."
Dr Björn Frendéus, Vice President Preclinical Research at BioInvent,
comments: "It is of major importance for BioInvent to tap into the vast
knowledge base of a multi-pronged organisation such as Cancer Research
Technology. One of our first areas of interest will be in the biology of
myeloid cells in cancer, which has been an area of focus for us for many
years."
Dr Phil L'Huillier, CRT's director of business development, said: "CRT
has a strong interest in exploring the exciting area of the tumour
microenvironment to create innovative new cancer therapies. Tumour
associated macrophages are increasingly recognised as important players
in cancer, and bringing together BioInvent's unique antibody discovery
platform with Dr Hagemann's expertise in the macrophage field provides
this collaboration with a unique blend of skills to develop multiple
therapeutic projects with the potential to benefit cancer patients".
Clinical trial highlights efficacy of imlifidase for kidney transplant recipients