Oxford BioMedica and ARIUS Research Extend Collaboration on Novel Cancer Targets
Success of initial stage leads to further two-year partnership
In the initial phase of the collaboration, which began in July 2002, 50 functional anti-cancer antibodies from the ARIUS library were used by Oxford BioMedica to mine for novel targets. The decision to extend the collaboration comes from the successful identification of three targets that offer opportunities in a range of cancer diseases. The new collaboration will focus on one that is over-expressed in gastrointestinal and other cancers and is related to cancer metastasis.
The success of the initial phase is due to synergies between the two companies. ARIUS' FunctionFIRST(TM) discovery platform starts with human tumour cells and selects for antibodies with direct anti-cancer effects. By not starting from a known target, the ARIUS platform offers opportunities to discover novel targets or the unique spots on a target that are important in triggering cancer cell death. Oxford BioMedica has a number of proprietary technologies from its gene discovery and immunotherapy programmes and has both the technical skills to develop products and the business development experience to market them.
ARIUS' President and CSO, Dr. David Young said: "Our ongoing relationship with Oxford BioMedica has the potential to deliver significant value as we move to commercialise these discoveries. Oxford BioMedica has been an excellent partner and has made an important contribution to developing these library candidates."
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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