DUBLIN, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
- Exclusive worldwide licence deal adding to Carrick's rapid
pipeline expansion
- Preparations for pivotal studies underway
- Dr. George Golumbeski appointed
as Chairman of the Board
Carrick Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on
the innovative research and development of transformative oncology
medicines, has today announced that it has licensed exclusive
worldwide rights to develop and commercialise BTG945, now CT900, an
investigational targeted ovarian cancer drug, from the global
specialist healthcare company BTG plc ("BTG", LSE: BTG).
CT900 is a targeted therapy that combines targeting folate
receptor α (FRα) and inhibiting thymidylate synthase. The small
molecule compound selectively enters cancer cells that over express
folate receptor α (FRα) versus normal tissues and inhibits
thymidylate synthase, leading to cell death. It was discovered by
The Institute of Cancer Research, London, who led its earlier development with
support from Cancer Research UK and BTG.
In a phase I study[1] led by
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden NHS
Foundation Trust, presented at the American Society of Clinical
Oncology Annual Meeting 2017, seven of ten women with advanced
ovarian cancer who had the particular molecular marker for the drug
responded to treatment.
There are approximately 240,000 new ovarian cancer patients per
year worldwide[2] with 70% of
patients presenting with advanced
disease[3]. The 5-year survival is
around 40%[4] and patients who
become resistant to platinum-based first-line therapy have the
poorest prognosis with treatment limited to single-agent salvage
chemotherapy. Response rates to current second-line therapies are
less than 10%.[5]
Under the terms of the agreement with BTG, Carrick has gained
exclusive worldwide development and commercialisation rights to
CT900 and has already commenced preparations for pivotal studies. A
clinical development programme in other cancers will also be
undertaken. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Commenting on CT900, Professor
Paul Workman, Chief Executive and
President of The Institute of Cancer Research,
London, said: "The
efficacy results that we have seen so far for CT900 are very
promising. The beauty of this drug is that it is targeted to
the tumour cells, meaning there are fewer
side-effects and making it a very
promising treatment for women with ovarian
cancer.
"I am very excited that this drug is progressing to
the next stage of clinical trials and believe it has the potential
to be a highly effective treatment for women with ovarian
cancer, even when their tumours have become resistant to
existing drugs."
Elaine Sullivan, Chief
Executive of Carrick Therapeutics, said: "The addition
of CT900 to our pipeline further
strengthens Carrick's multi-asset
portfolio targeting critical pathways that drive aggressive and
resistant cancers. Since our inception two years ago,
Carrick has made excellent progress and
is now developing two clinical assets and a
pre-clinical pipeline that have
the potential to meet significant unmet needs for
patients."
She added: "CT900, which is a
targeted therapy, has already demonstrated
clinical activity in platinum-resistant/refractory
high-grade serous ovarian cancer. In addition to
ovarian cancer, we will be investigating CT900 in other difficult
to treat cancers that express high levels of folate receptor
alpha. These patients can be selected via a companion
diagnostic based on folate receptor alpha expression.
We believe CT900 shows real potential to make a meaningful
difference to patients' lives."
Carrick also announced today that Dr. George Golumbeski has been appointed Chairman of
the Board of Directors. He currently serves as President of GRAIL,
a company focused on early detection of cancer. Prior to GRAIL he
served as Executive Vice President of Business Development at
Celgene, where he was responsible for all aspects of business
development, including identifying and evaluating opportunities,
strategic collaborations and licensing deals.
Commenting on the Board appointment, Elaine Sullivan said: "We are
delighted to welcome George to the Board and look forward to
utilising his experience and advice at Carrick as we
rapidly develop and build out our high-quality
pipeline."
Dr. Golumbeski said: "I am very
excited to work with the leadership team and Board
of Directors at Carrick Therapeutics. Carrick is
focused on oncology therapeutics and currently has two significant
programmes in clinical studies. CT7001 is an oral CDK7
inhibitor that is progressing through phase 1 studies.
CT900 has shown clinical proof-of-concept in
platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. I look forward to
joining efforts with the Carrick team to advance these programmes
towards pivotal studies and, ultimately, to
patients."
Notes for editors
Carrick Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focusing
on the innovative research and development of transformative
oncology medicines. Carrick's aim is to become a leading
global oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company. The name Carrick
means 'rock' in Gaelic to emphasise the strong foundation of
like-minded scientists, collaborators and investors, and the vision
to build a durable world-class company. Carrick has an ambitious
patient-focused vision to serve cancer patients around the world by
the introduction of ground-breaking cancer therapies that will
transform the way cancer is treated.
The company was established with an initial funding round
that saw it raise $95
million and continues to build its portfolio through
partnering. Significantly, whilst other companies bank on a single
molecule or biological mechanism, Carrick will build a portfolio
that targets multiple mechanisms that drive cancer. In close
partnership with a network of clinicians and scientists in
internationally-leading research institutes and hospitals the
business will drive its portfolio of ground-breaking cancer
therapies from laboratories to the clinic.
The funding of Carrick Therapeutics was co-led by ARCH Venture
Partners and Woodford Investment Management, with participation
from Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Evotec, GV
(formerly Google Ventures), and Lightstone Ventures.
Other Carrick Therapeutics assets in clinical
development
Carrick Therapeutics is also developing CT7001, a first in class,
oral CDK7 inhibitor with potential in a range of cancer
indications. Carrick rapidly developed CT7001 from a candidate drug
to first-time-in-man within 2 years. CDK7 inhibition has emerged as
a promising strategy in a range of cancer indications including
acquired treatment resistant cancer. CT7001 is being investigated
both as a monotherapy as well as a combination treatment with
established therapies.
For more information please visit
http://www.carricktherapeutics.com/
The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world's most
influential cancer research organisations.
Scientists and clinicians at The Institute of Cancer Research
(ICR) are working every day to make a real impact on cancer
patients' lives. Through its unique partnership with The Royal
Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and 'bench-to-bedside' approach, the
ICR is able to create and deliver results in a way that other
institutions cannot. Together the two organisations are rated in
the top four centres for cancer research and treatment
globally.
The ICR is well known for establishing productive partnerships
with industry to commercialise its discoveries as the fastest way
of taking new drugs and technologies to patients, ploughing income
earned back into its research so further patients can benefit.
The ICR is the most successful academic institution in the world
at discovering new cancer drugs. Prostate cancer drug abiraterone -
discovered at the ICR and developed with commercial partners,
including BTG, along with hospital partner The Royal Marsden - has
treated hundreds of thousands of men worldwide. It generates around
$2.5bn in sales per year,
contributing to the ICR's ranking as the most successful higher
education institution in the UK for earning invention income from
its research.
A college of the University of London, the ICR is the UK's top-ranked
academic institution for research quality, and provides
postgraduate higher education of international distinction. It has
charitable status and relies on support from partner organisations,
charities and the general public.
The ICR's mission is to make the discoveries that defeat cancer.
For more information visit http://www.icr.ac.uk
References:
[1] Banerji et al Journal of
Clinical Oncology 35, no. 15 suppl (May 20 2017) 2503-2503
[2] International Agency for
Research on Cancer Global Cancer Observatory
https://gco.iarc.fr/
[3] Union for International Cancer
Control, 2014 Review of Cancer Medicines on the WHO List of
Essential Medicines
[4] Siegel R, Naishadham D,
Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2013. CA
Cancer J Clin 2013; 63:11-30
[5] Coleman RL Monk BJ, Sood AK,
Herzog TJ. Latest research and clinical treatment of advanced-stage
epithelial ovarian cancer. Nat Rev Clin
Oncol. 2013 April; 1(4): 211-224
SOURCE Carrick Therapeutics