Cancer Research UK, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research partner for new blood cancer drugs

Under the deal, LLR will provide access to new therapies currently being researched by its scientists, as well as offer financial support for Cancer Research UK to develop these therapies through preclinical and early-phase clinical development.

These clinical trials will be managed by Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development at various hospitals throughout the UK.

As part of the five-year deal, about five clinical trials will be financed using funds collected from successfully marketed drugs that arebeing shared by both parties.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research research director professor Chris Bunce said: "The infrastructure and know-how exchanged by working together with Cancer Research UK will enable this initiative to give patients access to potentially life-saving breakthroughs sooner.

"There is an urgent need for new blood cancer drugs, as many patients cannot tolerate or do not respond to traditional treatment options like chemotherapy."

Cancer Research UK Centre for Drug Development director Dr Nigel Blackburn added: "As the world’s largest charity dedicated to cancer research, we hope this will pave the way for further strategic partnerships with other charities who are interested in working together to speed up the translation of today’s scientific discoveries into future cancer treatments."