F E AT U R E
C
ancer Research UK’s record of developing novel treatments is comparable to any pharmaceutical company. Industry partnerships have proved hugely valuable in achieving this; they enable us to translate our world-class research into effective treatments for patients. Commercial partnerships are at the heart of how we interact with industry. Our team works with pharmaceutical companies, who bring the skills, materials and funding necessary to convert promising scientific discoveries into industrial propositions. Through Cancer Research UK’s Therapeutic Discovery Laboratory, we bring together the best minds in academic cancer research, with the drive of industry. Multiproject alliances include partnerships with AstraZeneca, Merck and Forma. Our Centre for Drug Development (CDD) has taken over 120 potential cancer drugs into clinical trials and six have made it to market, with others in development. Through our Clinical Development Partnerships scheme, the centre works with leading pharma companies, on a shared ‘riskreward’ basis, giving promising new drugs the best chance of making it.
Once clinical data is gathered, companies retain intellectual property rights, or transfer them to Cancer Research UK for a share of revenues. Thanks to our network of Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres we have the specialist infrastructure to bring innovative treatments to patients through clinical trials. The Combinations Alliance is a unique scheme, run through these centres, where we test novel drug combinations using assets from different companies, with a view to improving standard treatments. Cancer Research UK’s industry interactions have been proven to benefit patients. The first PARP inhibitor, rucaparib (Rubraca), was discovered by our scientists at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, in collaboration with Agouron and Pfizer. With the help of the CDD, rucaparib entered trials and stimulated interest in PARP inhibitors from other companies. Last year, in the US, the drug was designated a ‘breakthrough therapy’ by the FDA, for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. We will continue to work closely with industry to accelerate the development of potentially life-saving treatments and beat cancer sooner. Go to cancerresearchuk.org
T
H E ART S TR I N G S PROFESSOR JEREMY PEARSON Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation
“The BHF funds academic-led projects that involve pharma where there is clear potential for patient benefit”
he British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) vision is a world where people do not suffer or die prematurely from heart disease. A crucial objective of our strategy is to enhance the translation of cardiovascular research into improved patient care. This goal requires strong relationships; academics can bring scientific know-how and years of experience, while pharma provides drug development and commercial expertise, including access to compound libraries and regulatory advice. To achieve its mission, the BHF funds academic-led projects that involve pharma, where there is clear potential for patient benefit. For example, The Heart Protection Study, led by the University of Oxford, was jointly funded by the BHF, Medical Research Council, Merck and Roche Vitamins Ltd. This was a 20,000-patient study that showed the benefits of simvastatin in lowering cholesterol, ultimately leading to a reduction in coronary heart disease risk. We have a clear policy outlining the terms of these collaborations, ensuring that universities have intellectual property rights and that if findings result in commercial success, the university and BHF are recognised. This
B I G - C H IT TE RS DR NIGEL BL ACK BUR N Cancer Research UK’s Director of Drug Development
“We bring together the best minds in academic cancer research with the rigour and drive of industry”
allows revenue to be re-invested into research. The BHF has a dedicated funding scheme to accelerate the translation of cardiovascular research. The Translational Award provides funding to de-risk promising innovations, enabling them to secure further investment. The committee assessing opportunities has a range of members with differing backgrounds including medicinal chemistry, drug development and venture capital investment expertise. They help academics translate their work and attract pharma interest by providing advice, identifying commercial hurdles and shaping project design. The BHF takes an active role in connecting academics with pharma to further stimulate knowledge exchange. Last year, we held a workshop which included speakers from pharma, investment and regulatory organisations, allowing academics to discover exactly what experts look for when assessing potential projects. Pharma is keen to learn from academia and we play a role in initiating university visits where industry can find out about specific projects and form mutually beneficial collaborations. Go to bhf.org.uk
M AG A ZI N E | O C TO B ER 2017 | 2 1