CRT Pioneer Fund, Cancer Research UK Manchester Partner On Lung Cancer Drugs

By Cyndi Root

The Cancer Research Technology Pioneer Fund (CPF) has partnered with the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Drug Discovery Unit on RET inhibitors to treat lung cancer, Cancer Research UK announced in a press release. The CPF is a consortium launched by Cancer Research Technology (CRT), the commercial arm of Cancer Research UK and the European Investment Fund (EIF). Investigators at Manchester will develop RET inhibitors and usher them through early clinical trials.

Dr. Donald Ogilvie, head of drug discovery at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, said, “We’re extremely pleased to work with the CRT Pioneer Fund to help accelerate progress on the exciting RET inhibitors discovered by Cancer Research UK scientists at our Institute.”

CRT’s Pioneer Fund

CRT’s Pioneer Fund (CPF) is a project coordinated by CRT and the EIF, managed by Sixth Element Capital. They launched the project in 2012 and funded it with £50 million ($78 million). Their intent was to provide funding for cancer discovery and bridge the gap to early drug development. The new funding round and project with Manchester is the fourth CPF investment.

Manchester Studies

The Manchester Institute has expertise in the genetics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The scientists intend to focus on the RET gene as it plays a role in thyroid cancer, non-small cell lung adenocarcinomas, and other cancers that originate in the airways. Investigators hope to find novel compounds to target the RET gene. Ian Miscampbell, managing partner of Sixth Element Capital, said they would seek industry partners for further development if initial studies find effective treatments.

FDA and Gene Therapies

In July 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued advice to academia and industry on developing companion diagnostics for gene therapies, such as the ones investigators at Manchester are working on. The FDA states that personalized medicine and companion diagnostics go hand in hand.

Patricia Keegan, M.D., an oncologist with the FDA’s Division of Oncology Products, states that the agency requires a companion diagnostic test if a new drug works on a specific genetic or biological target. The test identifies which patients would be most likely to benefit and which patients may be harmed by the treatment. Thomson Reuters has discussed several targeted therapies and their companion diagnostics in a recent article, which can be found here.