Redx Pharma’s ‘transformational’ cancer deal with AstraZeneca
REDx Pharma, the up-and-coming North West drug research company has agreed a “transformational” multi-million pound deal with listed international pharmaceutical group AstraZeneca.
Scientists from the 150-strong Liverpool-based company will work with their counterparts at AZ on a research collaboration to discover and develop new molecules targeting a genetic driver of tumour growth and survival.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Redx Pharma will receive an upfront payment. In addition, the company is potentially eligible for significant development and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties as the programme progresses.
AstraZeneca will have the sole rights to further develop and commercialise any programme resulting from the collaboration to add to its portfolio of cancer medicines.
Chief executive Dr Neil Murray said: “This is a big deal for Redx. While we have done other commercial deals before, this is our first with a bluechip pharmaceutical company.
“This has been in the pipleline for several months and we are delighted to be working on this project with AstraZeneca. It’s a transformational deal for Redx, in every sense.
“This represents a significant development for our oncology business–another major transaction and the first time we’ve had an opportunity to work with the Oncology Innovative Medicines Unit at AstraZeneca. The project is a good fit for both parties and builds on Redx’s strong track record in rapidly developing novel drugs in cancer.”
He said the research would be based mostly at Redx’s oncology division in Liverpool and would focus on solid tumour research, including those found in breast, colon and ovarian cancers.
The project will complement AstraZeneca’s strategic approach focused on genetic drivers of cancer and mechanisms of resistance to established and new cancer therapies.
It involves Redx Pharma scientists working with AstraZeneca’s Oncology Innovative Medicines group to accelerate the drug discovery process. Redx will use its early stage drug discovery capabilities to identify novel leads whose further development will be supported by AstraZeneca’s team.
Susan Galbraith, head of the Oncology Innovative Medicines unit at AstraZeneca, said: “Collaboration and scientific exchange are at the heart of AstraZeneca’s innovation-led strategy.
“This partnership is based on our own early stage oncology research focused on the genetic drivers of cancer and allows us to build on our combined drug discovery expertise. The co-location of our scientists will facilitate our collaboration. This agreement supports our strategic objectives of accelerating discovery and improving the quality and choice of candidate compounds for our early pipeline.”
The links between the two organisations don’t end there – Redx Pharma was one of the first tenants at the BioHub at Alderley Park in Cheshire, set up by AstraZeneca in 2013 to allow life sciences companies to benefit from Alderley Park’s scientific heritage following a decision by the company to shift much of its new research and development function to a new facility in Cambridge.
As part of the collaboration, AstraZeneca and Redx scientists will work together at Alderley Park, as well as at Redx’s Liverpool facility where the project will be based.
Susan Galbraith added: “This collaboration demonstrates the value of the BioHub and the open, collaborative environment that has been created at Alderley Park. It also illustrates AstraZeneca’s continued commitment to supporting science in the UK, building on our many existing collaborations with organisations across academia and industry.”
