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Preclinical Development Candidate Selected for ...
Preclinical Development Candidate Selected for ....
About this update from Sareum Holdings Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \n\n\n\n\n (AIM: SAR) 15 August 2011\n\n\n\n SAREUM HOLDINGS PLC (\"Sareum\")\n\n Preclinical Development Candidate Selected for Chk1 Inhibitor Programme\nSareum, the specialist cancer drug discovery business, The Institute of Cancer\nResearch (\"the ICR\") and Cancer Research UK's commercial arm, Cancer Research\nTechnology Limited (\"CRT\") are pleased to announce the selection of a\npreclinical development candidate from their joint research collaboration.\n\nThe joint research collaboration targets Chk1 (Checkpoint Kinase 1). Chk1 is\nimportant in controlling a cancer cell's response to DNA damage, which may be a\nconsequence of the cancer itself, or intentionally caused by chemotherapy or\nradiotherapy.\n\nPreclinical model studies carried out at the Cancer Research UK Cancer\nTherapeutics Unit at the ICR demonstrate that the Chk1 candidate, dosed via the\noral route, in combination with the chemotherapeutics gemcitabine or irinotecan\nsignificantly reduces cancer growth rates compared to treatment with the same\ndose of chemotherapeutic without the Chk1 inhibitor.\n\nFurther preclinical studies demonstrate the potential for the collaboration Chk1\ndevelopment candidate to reduce tumour growth when given as a sole treatment in\nmodels of certain cancer types that are believed to be dependent on Chk1 for\nsurvival.\n\nSareum's CEO, Dr Tim Mitchell, commented: \"The selection of a preclinical\ndevelopment candidate is a major milestone for the collaboration that will\nsignificantly enhance the licensing package. Our research indicates that the\nselectivity and oral dosing properties of this candidate give it a competitive\nadvantage.\"\n\nProfessor Paul Workman, Director of the Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics\nUnit at the ICR, said: \"The significant progress made so far is very pleasing\nand highlights the value of partnerships between industry and academic drug\ndiscovery groups like ours. There is further important development work to be\ndone so that patients can one day benefit from these drugs, and we look forward\nto the progress of the compound towards the clinic.\"\n\nDr Philip Masterson, Associate Director at Cancer Research Technology, said: \"We\nare working to select the right commercial partner to take the Chk1 programme\ninto clinical development. Our ultimate aim is that one day, this drug will\nbeco...