AstraZeneca and Bind Therapeutics announce cancer research alliance

AstraZeneca and Bind Therapeutics have announced a new collaboration investigating the potential of nanoparticles in cancer treatment.

The strategic alliance will centre on the development of a targeted and programmable cancer nanomedicine called an Accurin, based on a molecularly targeted kinase inhibitor developed and owned by AstraZeneca.

Accurins are created using Bind's Medicinal Nanoengineering platform and have been shown to selectively accumulate in diseased tissues and cells, resulting in higher drug concentrations at tumour sites without damaging healthy cells.

Both companies will collaborate on investigational studies and Bind will take charge of manufacturing during the initial phase, while AstraZeneca will hold exclusive development and commercialisation rights to the product.

Susan Galbraith, head of AstraZeneca's oncology innovative medicines unit, said: "AstraZeneca believes that targeted therapies which specifically address the underlying mechanisms of disease are the future of personalised cancer treatment."

Last month, the company agreed an oncology-focused biomarker discovery alliance with Oxford Cancer Biomarkers.