Collaboration to fight cancer

Cancer Research UK and UCB SA have announced to advance two cancer antibodies of the Brussels-based biopharma company to the clinical testing stage. The collaboration combines Cancer Research UK's oncology-focused translational research and clinical development skills, as well as their network of clinical oncologists with UCB's antibody discovery experience evaluate the clinical potential of UCB6114 and UCB4594.

According to the contract, Cancer Research UK's Centre for Drug Development will plan, prepare, fund, and oversee Phase I/II clinical trials for both candidates while UCB will manufacture GMP-complaint lots of the antibodies, along with the ongoing study of UCB6114. In exchange for non-disclosed success-based milestone financial details, Cancer Research UK will grant UCB a license to the findings of the clinical studies and UCB will maintain exclusive rights to further develop and commercialise both assets.

The experimental prospects may have the potential to provide cancer patients with access to novel tailored therapy choices if they are deemed effective in the planned clinical studies. UCB6114 is a first-in-class antibody that targets the glycoprotein gremlin-1, which is produced by the tumour stroma. Human leukocyte antigen G, or HLA-G, an immunological barrier, is the target of the antibody UCB4594. “We are delighted to be collaborating with UCB to progress not one, but two novel oncology antibodies and here at the Centre for Drug Development we are looking forward to progressing these programmes through early clinical development,” states Dr Nigel Blackburn, Director Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development.