Cancer Research Horizons announces extension of partnership with AstraZeneca on the Functional Genomics Centre

CAMBRIDGE, UK, 3 September 2024 – Cancer Research Horizons, the innovation arm of Cancer Research UK, and AstraZeneca have signed a five-year renewal of the Functional Genomics Centre, a world-leading facility dedicated to advancing drug discovery with genome-altering technologies such as CRISPR. 

The Functional Genomics Centre was established in 2019 to explore the function and interaction of genes and proteins in cancer and create sophisticated models of the disease for research. The industry–academic partnership, which aims to democratise access to functional genomics across Cancer Research UK’s and AstraZeneca’s research communities, enables both partners to work together to solve some of the most important challenges in cancer research today.  

To date, the Functional Genomics Centre has supported researchers from Cancer Research UK’s and AstraZeneca’s networks on almost 100 projects across all stages of translational research, from target discovery and validation, to assessing novel drug combinations. The renewal represents a commitment from both parties to continue this progress towards the discovery of potential new cancer medicines. 

As part of the renewal, the Functional Genomics Centre will move from its current location at the Milner Therapeutics Institute to AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre (DISC), the largest research and development facility in the UK. 

David Walter, Cancer Research Horizons lead of the Functional Genomics Centre | Group Leader, Cancer Research Horizons, says: “Our partnership with AstraZeneca showcases how collaboration fuels innovation in cancer research. We're leveraging our combined expertise and cutting-edge technologies to accelerate target discovery in oncology and bring new treatments to patients sooner.” 

Douglas Ross-Thriepland, AstraZeneca lead of the Functional Genomics Centre | Director, AstraZeneca, AstraZeneca says: “CRISPR gene editing is an incredibly exciting tool for target discovery. It helps us tap into previously unknown biology and advances our understanding of cancer resistance mechanisms. By combining it with genetic screens, cancer models and computational approaches, our aim is to accelerate the development of new medicines for patients who need them the most.” 

Rachel Grimley, SVP Drug Discovery, Cancer Research Horizons, says: “I am delighted to see the next steps for this important partnership. This renewal will enable us to continue to identify novel targets, and gain deeper mechanistic understanding of potential drug therapies, to benefit cancer patients.” 

Ultan McDermott, Chief Scientist Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, says: “The Functional Genomics Centre is a unique industry–academic partnership, with the aim to democratise access to functional genomics across the Cancer Research UK research community. It enables AstraZeneca and Cancer Research Horizons to work together to solve some of the most important problems in cancer today.”  
 

ENDS 

Cancer Research Horizons is the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK – the world's largest charitable funder of cancer research. We bring together world-leading minds, bold ideas and the right partners to bridge the gap between academic research and taking drugs to market. We focus on the tougher, more profound ideas that can lead to true innovation, translating them into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients.   

To date, we've played an instrumental role in forming over 70 spin-out companies. We've helped bring 13 cancer drugs to market, borne out of Cancer Research UK's pioneering research. Through these drugs, we have enabled in excess of 6 million courses of treatment for cancer patients across the world.   

With access to Cancer Research UK's network of 4,000 exceptional researchers, and £400+ million of annual research spend, we're a powerful partner in the fight to conquer cancer. By uniting our commercial partnerships and therapeutic innovation capabilities, Cancer Research Horizons is uniquely placed to support translational funding, entrepreneurial development, licensing and collaboration, spinout creation, and offer a full spectrum of drug discovery and clinical capabilities.  

Every penny we make goes back into funding the next bold steps, to help bring forward the day when all cancers are conquered.  

For more information and to get in touch with the team, visit cancerresearchhorizons.com.