AstraZeneca and Sage Bionetworks ally on cancer research

AstraZeneca has entered into partnership with Sage Bionetworks to analyse computational models in order to develop new cancer treatment methods.

The agreement will utilise cancer genomic datasets and predictive disease models developed by Sage Bionetworks and will aim to establish regulatory pathways for various forms of the disease.

Drawing on the drug manufacturer's expertise in oncology, the alliance is intended to inform new therapy strategies and identify patients that are most likely to benefit from specific treatments.

Once the project has been completed, the computational models will be placed in Sage Bionetworks' public repository and made available to the research community.

Dr Susan Galbraith, vice-president and head of the oncology innovative medicines unit at AstraZeneca, said: "We are looking forward to collaborating with Sage Bionetworks to build realistic, predictive models of cancers to expand our current understanding of these diseases."

Earlier this month, AstraZeneca signed another new research agreement with Galderma, which will focus on the development of new dermatology therapies.