|
Archived Press Releases
December 13, 1999
Onyvax Limited, Cancer Research Campaign Technology,
Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden Hospital Announce
Initiative in Prostate Cancer Research
13 December 1999. Onyvax Limited (London, UK), Cancer Research
Campaign Technology (CRCT, UK), the Institute of Cancer Research
('the Institute', UK) and the Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH,UK) have
entered into a collaboration for the study of prostate cancer. The
programme is focused on genetic changes that underlie the development
and progression of prostate cancer, thereby providing targets for
novel therapies.
Onyvax will use its expertise in the field of cell immortalization
to generate novel cell-lines from cancer tissue provided by RMH.
The Institute will use these cell-lines, as well as others owned
by Onyvax, in studies into the genetics of prostate cancer. Onyvax
retains ownership of the cell-lines and has rights to discoveries
made by the Institute in support of its cancer vaccine programmes.
CRCT retains rights to discoveries in fields other than cancer immunotherapy.
Onyvax is a biotechnology company developing vaccines and other
therapies which direct the immune system to attack cancer cells.
Dr. Andrew Sutton, Head of R&D for Onyvax said 'We are excited
to be working alongside two of the UK's premier cancer research
organisations. This agreement will greatly enhance Onyvax's vaccine
programmes as well as fundamental research into prostate cancer.
We have access to over 25 prostate cell-lines, many proprietary
to Onyvax, possibly representing the most comprehensive collection
in the world ".
Professor Colin Cooper, head of the Intitutes's Haddow Laboratories
said 'The establishment of cell-lines from prostate tissue is extremely
difficult and the collaboration with Onyvax will provide us with
invaluable new resources. Access to novel cell lines will better
enable us to bring our proven capability in the field of genetic
discovery to bear in the fight against prostate cancer'.
Background on the ICR
The Institute and the Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) together constitute
Europe's largest comprehensive cancer centre and the second biggest
in the world. In 1995, the Institute was involved in the discovery
of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA2 and, in 1996, located
a gene for predisposition to Wilm's tumour. The Institute is building
the UK's first dedicated male urological cancer centre and will
house Europe's biggest response to the anticipated upsurge in detected
prostate cancer.
Background on Onyvax
Onyvax is a biotechnology company based at St. George's Hospital
Medical School (SGHMS) in London. Building on the research of its
Research Director, Angus Dalgleish, Professor of Clinical Oncology
at SGHMS, Onyvax is developing a range of anti-cancer vaccines.
A sixty patient clinical study of its first vaccine, for treating
advanced prostate cancer, recently completed enrolment at St George's
Hospital. Onyvax was established in 1997 and is backed by venture
capital from 3i, Alta Berkeley, S.R. One and the PS Wallenberg Trust.
Background to CRC Technology Ltd
CRC Technology (CRCT) is one of the earliest established technology
transfer companies in the UK and a world leader in its specialist
field of cancer. CRCT is a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK charity
The Cancer Research Campaign (CRC). Working closely with CRC-funded
scientists, CRCT ensures that new discoveries in cancer research
are turned as rapidly as possible into real benefits for the cancer
patient.
|
