DGAP-News: Astex Pharmaceuticals, Cancer Research Technology and The Institute of Cancer Research Announce Epigenetic Drug Discovery Collaboration
(firmenpresse) - Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
06.09.2012 15:34
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DUBLIN, Calif., and CAMBRIDGE, UK, 2012-09-06 15:34 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTX), a pharmaceutical company dedicated
to the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics, Cancer
Research Technology Limited (CRT) and The Institute of Cancer Research, London,
have initiated a collaboration to discover and develop drug candidates
targeting an undisclosed epigenetic target in a blood cancer with high unmet
medical need. The collaboration combines Astex's world-renowned fragment-based
drug discovery platform and epigenetic* drug development experience with the
expertise in blood cancer biology at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and
proven success in drug discovery at the Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics
Unit at the ICR.
Dysregulated epigenetic mechanisms are now understood to underlie a variety of
cancer types, and have been successfully targeted by the first generation of
epigenetic anticancer drugs**. In some cases, specific epigenetic mutational
events can be linked to disease etiology, providing an opportunity to develop
highly targeted personalized medicines and associated companion diagnostics
that will ultimately improve survival and reduce side effects.
'We are delighted to be entering into this new collaboration with the ICR and
CRT on a key epigenetics target,' said Harren Jhoti, PhD, president of Astex
Pharmaceuticals. 'This new partnership builds on the highly successful
collaboration which Astex entered into with the ICR and CRT in 2003 on another
cancer target, PKB/Akt. That collaboration led to the discovery of two clinical
candidates, the first of which, AZD5363, was taken into Phase I by our partner
AstraZeneca in early 2011 and the second of which, AT13148, is being prepared
to be taken into Phase 1 under our development partnership with Cancer Research
UK. '
Professor Paul Workman, director of the Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics
Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research, said: 'ICR scientists are pioneers at
unraveling blood cancer drug targets, which others have considered challenging
to drug effectively. We have a very strong track record of designing drugs to
attack challenging biological targets and bringing them into clinical trial,
and given Astex's complementary expertise, we are very excited about the
potential of this collaboration.'
Dr Phil L'Huillier, director of business management at CRT, said: 'Putting in
place this collaboration between the Cancer Research UK-funded drug discovery
team at the ICR and Astex provides a powerful route to identify drug candidates
for this promising new target.
'The deal will ensure that the research programme benefits from the necessary
investment to progress the research to its full potential while building on the
validation and assay development work that has been carried out at the ICR and
funded by Cancer Research UK and others.
'We hope that this research will lead to the development of new drugs to
ultimately improve survival for cancer patients.'
Notes to editors:
*Epigenetics describes gene modifications such as methylation and histone
modification that do not involve a change in the DNA sequence.
**includingthe marketed drug Dacogen(r) which was developed by Astex.
About Astex Pharmaceuticals
Astex Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel
small molecule therapeutics with a focus on oncology. The Company is developing
a proprietary pipeline of novel therapies and is creating de-risked products
for partnership with leading pharmaceutical companies. Astex Pharmaceuticals
developed Dacogen(r) (decitabine) for Injection and receives significant
royalties on global sales.
For more information about Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., please visit
http://www.astx.com.
The Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12273
About The Institute of Cancer Research
The Institute of Cancer Research is one of the world's most influential cancer
research institutes. Scientists and clinicians at The Institute of Cancer
Research (ICR) are working every day to make a real impact on cancer patients'
lives. Through its unique partnership with The Royal Marsden Hospital and
'bench-to-bedside' approach, the ICR is able to create and deliver results in a
way that other institutions cannot. Together the two organisations are rated in
the top four cancer centres globally.
The ICR has an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100
years. It provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic
cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea
that cancer is a genetic disease. Today it leads the world at isolating
cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer
treatment. The Cancer Therapeutics Unit and Drug Development Unit at the ICR
and The Royal Marsden were recently honoured with the 2012 American Association
for Cancer Research Team Science Award for the 'tremendous impact' of their
preclinical and clinical studies.
As a college of the University of London, the ICR provides postgraduate higher
education of international distinction. It has charitable status and relies on
support from partner organisations, charities and the general public.
The ICR's mission is to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. For more
information, visit www.icr.ac.uk
About Cancer Research Technology
Cancer Research Technology Ltd (CRT) is a specialist commercialisation and
development company, which aims to develop and commercialise 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 a wholly owned subsidiary of Cancer Research UK, the world's leading
cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Further information
about CRT can be found at www.cancertechnology.com
About Cancer Research UK
-- Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to
saving lives through research
-- The charity's groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. This work is funded
entirely by the public.
-- Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already
seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years.
-- Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the
work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
-- Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is
to beat cancer.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to
support the charity, please call 0300 123 1861 or visit
www.cancerresearchuk.org.
CONTACT: Timothy L. Enns
Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications&Marketing
Tel: +1 (925) 560-2810
E-mail: tim.enns(at)astx.com
Alan Roemer
The Trout Group
Managing Director
Tel: +1 (646) 378-2945
E-mail: aroemer(at)troutgroup.com
Susanna Chau
Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Manager
Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (925) 560-2845
E-mail: susanna.chau(at)astx.com
Kari Watson
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
Senior Vice President
Tel: +1 (781) 235-3060
E-mail: kwatson(at)macbiocom.com
News Source: NASDAQ OMX
06.09.2012 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP -
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Language: English
Company: Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
United States
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ISIN: US04624B1035
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Datum: 06.09.2012 - 15:34 Uhr
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