Exploring the Davids and Goliaths of therapeutic molecules

A*STAR inks deals with Siena Biotech to develop small- and large-molecule therapies for cancer and bone loss diseases

12-Apr-2010 - Singapore

Two research units under Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the Experimental Therapeutics Centre (ETC) and Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), are collaborating with Italy’s Siena Biotech S.p.A. to develop new drugs and targeted antibodies respectively, which will potentially help cancer and bone loss patients across the world.

ETC and Siena Biotech are developing molecular inhibitors of a major signalling pathway in oncology to target difficult-to-treat forms of cancer such as gastric cancer, leukaemia and brain tumours. During this collaboration, up to six groups from ETC and some 30 scientists from Siena Biotech will be conducting tests on synthetic compounds to characterise and optimise their inhibitor function in cancer cells. A drug is expected to enter clinical trials in 2011.

SIgN and Siena Biotech are jointly developing a novel monoclonal antibody applicable to bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Under the agreement, Siena Biotech will characterise, develop and test the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibodies while SIgN will isolate the disease-specific human monoclonal antibody from a pool of tens of billions of polyclonal antibodies.

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous