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news.AstraZeneca's global biologics R&D arm MedImmune and the University of Cambridge have entered into a three-year oncology research collaboration in order to advance cancer research by using imaging technologies to measure key biologic changes within growing tumors.
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The deal will see MedImmune contribute both funding and a post-doctoral scientist to work within the laboratory of Professor Kevin Brindle at the University of Cambridge in the area of tumor targeted therapies (TTTs), a major strategic approach within MedImmune’s oncology portfolio.
The company said that TTTs encompass antibodies that are armed to kill tumor cells, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that selectively aim powerful drugs at cancer cells.
The University of Cambridge is developing new clinically relevant approaches — using magnetic resonance-based molecular imaging — to detect the earliest signs of a tumor’s response to treatment, including cell death.
The new technologies are expected to help MedImmune in identifying effective therapies earlier in the development process, allowing for more rapid delivery of drugs to patients.
MedImmune head of Research Yong-Jun Liu said the company is committed to collaborative partnerships with academia that drive the discovery and application of novel technology to enhance oncology research and development.
"We’re delighted to embark on this partnership with the University of Cambridge and partner with Professor Brindle in this important area of oncology research," Liu said.
The company said that Professor Brindle and his group bring extensive expertise in advances in molecular imaging that produce more sensitive pictures of cells within patients’ tumors, particularly through the use of 13C hyperpolarised molecules.
The advances would help MedImmune identify biomarkers to support future clinical trial design, such as optimizing dosing schedules as well as identifying appropriate patient populations in clinical trials.