SLOUGH,
England, Nov. 18, 2004--Celltech Antibody Centre of
Excellence, part of UCB, has joined forces with the
University of Durham and Oxford Instruments Molecular
Biotools Ltd to develop the first UK antibody-targeted
magnetotherapy technology; a potentially new approach
for cancer therapy. This alliance, which is based
on a two-year relationship between the companies,
brings into play science that has previously never
been used in pharmaceuticals.
Celltech’s targeted antibody
technology will deliver inert nanoparticles to tumours
that subsequently are treated by application of a
controlled external magnetic field. Celltech is a
pioneer in the area of targeted therapy, developing,
through its collaboration with Wyeth, the first antibody
targeted chemotherapy medicine (Mylotarg®) in
2000. Targeting reduces damage to healthy tissue,
a side effect that is a problem with many current
anti-cancer drugs. Recent Celltech innovations include
facilitating the production of ultra-potent antibodies
in a fraction of the normal time. It is expected that
this technology will be deployed in this new partnership.
An interdisciplinary team made up of physicists and
chemists, from the University of Durham led by Dr
John Evans, will initially concentrate on magnetic
particle production and coating. The team has expertise
in the fabrication of designer magnetic particles
with controllable size, shape and magnetic properties
that will be crucial for this application. The scientists
are backed by the world-leading resources of two of
Durham's strongest science departments and have a
rare combination of facilities for the design, production,
chemical development and characterisation of the materials
that are at the heart of this new technology.
The Oxford Instruments Molecular Biotools team, led
by Dr Andy Sowerby, is providing the controlled magnetic
environment that initiates the process of cell death
or apoptosis of the targeted tumour cell. Oxford Instruments’
long experience in the generation of magnetic environments
will be key to understanding the forces required and
their duration with a variety of different particles
to optimise the efficacy of the technique.
Professor Mike Eaton, Celltech Antibody Chemistry
Head, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to
assemble the best team to drive this ground-breaking,
nano-surgery project right from its earliest stages.
We have signed a three-way agreement involving the
UK leaders in antibody technology, magnetic instruments
and nanoparticle design in our quest to explore new
opportunities in cancer treatments.”
For
more information please contact:
Hannah West Celltech Group/UCB
hannah.west@celltechgroup.com +44 (0) 1753 534655
Marcel
Kay De Facto Communications plc
m.kay@defacto.com +44 (0) 20 7940 1002
About
the UCB Group
UCB
(www.ucb-group.com) is a global pharmaceutical and
specialty chemical leader with headquarters in Brussels,
Belgium. Through its Pharma division, the company
is focused on innovative solutions for human healthcare.
UCB Pharma is a global biopharmaceutical player, specialising
in the fields of central nervous system disorders,
allergy and respiratory disease, immune and inflammatory
disorders and oncology. UCB Pharma’s key products
are Keppra® (antiepileptic), Xyzal® and Zyrtec®
(antiallergics), Nootropil® (cerebral function
regulator), and Tussionex® (antitussive). UCB
Pharma employs over 8,000 people operating in over
100 countries, and in 2003 achieved sales of €1.5
billion. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels, and achieved
sales of €3 billion and a net profit of €340 million
in 2003.
On October 1st, 2004, UCB announced the sale of its
Surface Specialties business, representing 4,500 people,
to enable the Company to focus on its biopharmaceutical
activities.
About Oxford Instruments Molecular Biotools Limited
(OIMBL)
Oxford
Instruments Molecular Biotools Limited (OIMBL), an
Oxford Instruments company (www.oxford-instruments.com)
based in Tubney Woods, develops and manufactures instruments
and technologies for novel applications in life sciences
research and industrial process control. OIMBL’s knowledge
base was founded in the field of Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance (NMR) instrumentation, a domain in which
the Company is recognised for its strides in innovation.
Included in the company’s portfolio are a series of
bench-top NMR products for process control applications.
The company continues to produce new research systems
and techniques, as well as new applications for existing
technologies, to generate information-driven solutions.
OIMBL’s
clients are involved in both the industrial and bioscience
sectors and count on the company’s specialised knowledge
to adapt technology to their specific needs to solve
complex and often unique problems.
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