AstraZeneca and Cancer Research UK sign new drug alliances

AstraZeneca has announced two new drug discovery alliances with the University of Manchester and Cancer Research Technology, the commercial arm of charity group Cancer Research UK.

The first of these will see the firm working with the Cancer Research UK Paterson Institute for Cancer Research at the University of Manchester to develop potential new drugs targeting a key protein involved in DNA damage response.

Meanwhile, the second arrangement invites Cancer Research UK scientists from the Paterson Institute to test a potential drug target against AstraZeneca's compound collection at Alderley Park, to see if any could be effective as a means of combating cancer.

This latter agreement is particularly significant as it is the first time that AstraZeneca has invited an external party to screen such an extensive set of compounds within its facility. 

Susan Galbraith, head of the AstraZeneca Oncology Innovative Medicines Unit, said: "This highlights the growing strategic relationship between cancer scientists from UK-based biopharmaceutical companies, charities and academic institutions."

Earlier this month, AstraZeneca and Cancer Research UK launched a new trial of AZD3965, an innovative new therapy that could be used to combat multiple cancer variants.