UCB and Cancer Research UK Expand Alliance to Advance Novel Cancer Therapies
Pharmaceutical company UCB has entered into an expanded multi-project strategic alliance with Cancer Research UK and its innovation arm, Cancer Research Horizons. This partnership aims to accelerate the development of novel oncology candidates by combining UCB’s strengths in molecule discovery with Cancer Research UK’s extensive clinical and scientific expertise. Building on a collaboration initiated in 2023 that successfully advanced two antibody drug candidates into clinical trials, the new agreement incorporates earlier-stage discovery and preclinical programs. Under this framework, UCB has nominated two additional projects from its internal pipeline to join the alliance. For each selected project, Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development will design, sponsor, and conduct phase 1/2 clinical trials. While research and development costs are shared, UCB retains exclusive rights for further development and commercialization. In return, Cancer Research Horizons will receive undisclosed milestone and royalty payments based on downstream progress. Executives from both organizations highlighted the synergy of this collaboration, emphasizing its potential to translate exceptional science into life-changing treatments for cancer patients more efficiently through shared resources and complementary capabilities.
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UCB and Cancer Research UK Expand Alliance to Advance Novel Cancer Therapies
Pharmaceutical company UCB has entered into an expanded multi-project strategic alliance with Cancer Research UK and its innovation arm, Cancer Research Horizons. This partnership aims to accelerate the development of novel oncology candidates by combining UCB’s strengths in molecule discovery with Cancer Research UK’s extensive clinical and scientific expertise. Building on a collaboration initiated in 2023 that successfully advanced two antibody drug candidates into clinical trials, the new agreement incorporates earlier-stage discovery and preclinical programs. Under this framework, UCB has nominated two additional projects from its internal pipeline to join the alliance. For each selected project, Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development will design, sponsor, and conduct phase 1/2 clinical trials. While research and development costs are shared, UCB retains exclusive rights for further development and commercialization. In return, Cancer Research Horizons will receive undisclosed milestone and royalty payments based on downstream progress. Executives from both organizations highlighted the synergy of this collaboration, emphasizing its potential to translate exceptional science into life-changing treatments for cancer patients more efficiently through shared resources and complementary capabilities.
PharmaTimes