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UK-based pharmaceutical SME seeks novel early stage molecules in the immuno-oncology space

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Reference Number: TRUK20161011001
Publication Date: 11 October 2016

Summary

A UK-based pharmaceutical SME is looking for novel small molecules with immune-oncology activity especially in regard to difficult to treat cancers. The SME will further develop these novel compounds to improve their efficacy and safety profiles with a view to licensing the improved molecules to larger pharmaceutical companies to take onto the market. The SME seeks to partner with universities, research Institutes and SMEs in the form of a licensing agreement or technical cooperation agreement.

Description

As cancer is expected to affect more than one in three people during their lifetime oncology is still a major field of medical research with a need for new treatments and new approaches. One such approach is the field of immune-oncology where the patient's own immune system is stimulated so that cancer cells are recognised and destroyed by it. This type of treatment has the potential to provide effective, long-lasting therapy with fewer side effects.



A UK-based drug discovery and development company with subsidiary companies specialising in oncology, immunology and anti-infectives, is looking to partner with Universities, Research Institutions and other SMEs who may have novel small molecules with immune-oncological activity particularly against difficult to treat cancers. The SME is looking for very early stage small molecules that it can further develop the compounds by improving activity, drug-like properties and safety profiles. The company has expertise in medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, analytical and business development; and are able to add significant value to a compound /program with the capability of taking the asset through preclinical development as well as Phase 1 clinical trial stage with the aim of licensing on to a larger pharmaceutical company for further development and market registration.



It is envisaged that the partnership with the University, Research Institution or SME would be in the form of a licensing agreement, although technical cooperation agreements will also be considered where appropriate.

Expertise sought

The UK-based SME is looking for novel small molecules with activity in the immune-oncology space. They are especially looking for molecules at a very early stage of development. As well as access to the molecules and their chemical structure data the SME would also require information on the molecules' target and the data generated to date on activity and safety profiles. 



The SME is looking for novel small molecule compounds against a validated target. They are especially interested in novel targets but will require additional chemistry data in order to pursue these compounds. The molecules must have immune-oncology activity. The SME will not consider molecules with general chemotherapy mode of action nor compounds that are not novel.

Requested partner

The UK-based SME is looking to partner with Universities, Research Institutions and other SMEs that have identified novel small molecules with immune-oncology activity. 



The UK-based SME will develop these early-stage molecules through an optimisation process improving their activity and safety profiles. The SME will take these molecules up to Phase 1 clinical trials with the aim of then licensing them on to larger pharmaceutical companies for later stage clinical trials.



It is anticipated that these partnerships will take the form of a licensing agreement whereby the SME will in-license the novel small molecules from the partner. Alternatively, a technical cooperation agreement will also be considered where appropriate.