Drug discovery
Work with us to identify and advance novel approaches with the potential to deliver the next generation of cancer medicines.
HuATN-658 is an antibody that targets the cell surface protein uPAR, which is found in high levels in some of the most deadly cancers. Under the agreement, Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development (CDD) will finance and complete preclinical development of HuATN-658 and conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial in cancer patients. Although drug efficacy will be monitored, the trial’s main objective will be to evaluate the safety of the antibody.
The trial will be managed and run by the CDD through the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) network, a UK-wide initiative funded by Cancer Research UK and the UK’s four Health Departments.
Upon completion of the clinical trial, Monopar has the right to acquire the clinical trial data. If Monopar declines the option, CRT may continue the development and commercialisation of HuATN-658 in exchange for a share to Monopar of any future revenues from the drug.
Dr Chandler D. Robinson, co-founder and CEO of Monopar Therapeutics, said: “While these are still the early days of the company, we have created a very strong team and development strategy. HuATN-658, our lead compound, was discovered by our chief scientific officer, Dr Andrew Mazar, one of the world’s experts on the uPAR pathway.
The development partnership with Cancer Research UK allows Monopar to leverage a strong platform for the clinical advancement of this compound as it brings long established clinical, regulatory, and manufacturing expertise and resources that would be difficult for an emerging company to amass quickly.”
Dr Nigel Blackburn, Cancer Research UK’s director of drug development, said, “We’re excited to be working with Monopar Therapeutics to take this promising new treatment a step further on its journey towards the clinic. The collaboration forms part of our Clinical Development Partnerships scheme, which aims to help progress promising treatments from drug company pipelines and bring them into early phase trials sooner. Thanks to this, six new treatments are now in clinical trials that may otherwise never have moved beyond the lab.”
Cancer Research UK\CRT: [email protected] +44 (0) 203 469 8300. For out of hours duty press officer contact: +44 (0) 7050 264 059.
Monopar Therapeutics: Janine McCargo [email protected] Tiberend Strategic Advisors (US): +01 646 605 5150
Notes to Editors
*An orphan oncology compound is developed specifically to treat a rare cancer.
About Monopar Therapeutics
Monopar Therapeutics’ mission is to develop life-altering orphan oncology therapeutics. Monopar was formed in 2014 as a privately-held company and has established a collaboration with Cancer Research - UK / Cancer Research Technology to develop Monopar's initial drug candidate HuATN-658, an anti-uPAR monoclonal antibody for the treatment of cancer. In addition, Monopar is actively seeking to license or purchase clinical-stage oncology drug candidates for development and ultimately commercialization. For more information about Monopar Therapeutics visit http://monopartherapeutics.com
About Cancer Research Technology
Cancer Research Technology (CRT) is a specialist commercialisation and development company, which aims to develop new discoveries in cancer research for the benefit of cancer patients. CRT works closely with leading international cancer scientists and their institutes to protect intellectual property arising from their research and to establish links with commercial partners. CRT facilitates the discovery, development and marketing of new cancer therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics and enabling technologies. CRT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cancer Research UK, the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Further information about CRT can be found at commercial.cancerresearchuk.org
About Cancer Research UK
- Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
- Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
- Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.
- Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years.
- Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
- Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
