6th Nov 2019 14:37
(Alliance News) - Arix Bioscience PLC on Wednesday said Artios Pharma Ltd has agreed an in-licencing agreement for "a small-molecule ATR inhibitor programme" with ShangPharma Innovation and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Artios is one of venture capital firm Arix's portfolio companies and has obtained "exclusive rights to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize products globally". The lead programme candidate will likely to be ready for an investigational new drug application in the US by the second half of 2020.
The goal of inhibiting the signalling protein ATR, which is involved in DNA repair, is to kill tumour cells. The treatment exploits mutations present in some tumour types which interfere with their ability to make a protein called ATM, also involved in DNA repair.
Artios explained that: "Through inhibition of ATR, tumours bearing an ATM deficiency can be selectively killed through a concept known as synthetic lethality."
Artios Chief Executive Niall Martin said: "This programme has the potential to be a highly effective DNA damage response targeted treatment in cancer. We look forward to advancing the work done
by MD Anderson and ShangPharma for the benefit of cancer patients."
Shares in Arix were up 2.5% at 122.00 pence in London on Wednesday afternoon.
By Anna Farley; [email protected]
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