Basilea in-licenses targeted cancer therapy
GlobeNewswire

Basel, Switzerland, April 1, 2015 - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (PK5.BE) reports today that it has entered into a license agreement for novel panRAF kinase inhibitors with a consortium of organizations including The Institute of Cancer Research, London, Cancer Research Technology, the Wellcome Trust and The University of Manchester.

The agreement grants Basilea exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize novel panRAF kinase inhibitors which originate from research at The Institute of Cancer Research by scientists funded by Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust. RAF kinases play an important role in tumor cell proliferation. The oral, small molecule panRAF inhibitors target BRAF and other growth pathways relied upon by resistant tumor cells. These properties allow anti-cancer activity in a range of tumor models including tumors resistant to anti-BRAF therapy associated with a number of marketed anti-cancer drugs.[1] The lead compound is anticipated to start clinical phase 1 testing in 2015.

Under the terms of the agreement, the consortium will lead clinical phase 1 development for the lead compound. Basilea will assume full operational responsibility thereafter. The consortium receives an upfront payment and is eligible to potential milestone payments on achievement of pre-specified clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties on future net sales.

Professor Caroline Springer, Professor of Biological Chemistry at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: "I`m delighted by today`s announcement, which is excellent news for research into treatments for drug-resistant cancers. The agreement provides the foundation for the clinical development of this exciting new drug class. It is an important milestone in efforts to tackle resistance to existing cancer therapies and provide new options for cancer patients."

"We are excited about complementing our growing and maturing oncology pipeline with this novel program including a lead compound expected to enter clinical testing in 2015. The available data show that this novel class of panRAF inhibitors are active in tumors which have developed resistance to currently available RAF kinase inhibitors and have the potential to offer new treatment options for melanoma as well as additional cancer indications," said Dr. Laurenz Kellenberger, Basilea`s Chief Scientific Officer.

About The Institute of Cancer Research, London

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world`s most influential cancer research institutes. Scientists and clinicians at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) are working every day to make a real impact on cancer patients` lives. Through its unique partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and "bench-to-bedside" approach, the ICR is able to create and deliver results in a way that other institutions cannot. Together the two organisations are rated in the top four cancer centres globally. The ICR has an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. It provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today it leads the world at isolating cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalized cancer treatment. As a college of the University of London, the ICR provides postgraduate higher education of international distinction. It has charitable status and relies on support from partner organisations, charities and the general public. The ICR`s mission is to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. For more information visit http://www.icr.ac.uk

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