Oxford Cancer Biomarkers signs discovery deal with AstraZeneca
pharmafile | April 18, 2013 | News story | Research and Development | AstraZeneca, Oxford Cancer Biomarkers
AstraZeneca has signed a new alliance with a UK firm in the field of biomarker discovery.
Oxford Cancer Biomarkers is developing tests that allow medicines to be personalised for the benefit of the cancer patient, and the deal with AZ creates potential for further collaboration on validation and development of resulting biomarkers.
Oxford Cancer Biomarkers (OCB) will work with an undisclosed AstraZeneca cancer drug to discover biomarkers that have the potential to predict responders and non-responders to the drug. Under the agreement, AstraZeneca has been granted an option to license biomarkers from the programme.
Nick McCooke, chief executive of Oxford Cancer Biomarkers, commented: “The discovery and development of biomarkers of drug response is becoming an essential component of cancer drug development and commercialisation. With more targeted treatments being made available for more defined patient populations, the need for companion diagnostics is growing. We are a young company but already making a name for ourselves in the cancer biomarkers space, and we are delighted to be working with AstraZeneca on this important program.”
Andrew Hughes, vice president of Clinical Oncology at AstraZeneca said: “Identifying the right patients is key for the development of AstraZeneca’s targeted oncology drugs. We are excited to be working with Oxford Cancer Biomarkers to explore how their novel approaches can contribute to our biomarker strategy in the early stages of drug development.”
Oxford Cancer Biomarkers uses its proprietary platform CancerNav to rapidly generate predictive biomarkers for cancer drugs. It has successfully proven its platform through from biomarker discovery to clinical validation.
The company was founded by Nick La Thangue, chair of Cancer Biology at Oxford University and David Kerr, Professor of Cancer Medicine at Oxford University.
The firm is a spin-out of the University of Oxford and has strong links with the Oxford Institute of Cancer Medicine. Its major investor is Quintiles, with whom it also it has a strategic relationship in the biomarker space.
It also has a consultancy arm, Oxford Cancer Solutions works with healthcare providers to implement strategies for better value cancer care.
Andrew McConaghie
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