Janssen and Cancer Research Technology ally on myeloma research

Janssen has agreed a new partnership with Cancer Research Technology that will see the organisations pooling their resources to produce a new multiple myeloma therapy.

The pharmaceutical company is allying with the commercial arm of charity organisation Cancer Research UK and London's Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) to identify molecules and develop potential drugs blocking a key protein on a cell-signalling route known as the unfolded protein response pathway.

By interfering with this process, cancer cells will be less able to cope with the stress caused by unfolded or misfolded proteins and therefore easier to eradicate, an approach that is thought to be applicable to a variety of conditions beyond melanoma.

Dr Laura Fletcher, Cancer Research Technology's associate director of business development, said: "The drug discovery and biology expertise provided by Cancer Research UK-funded scientists at the ICR and Janssen's extensive experience of oncology drug development is an exciting combination."

Earlier this month, Janssen and Bayer HealthCare launched a major new clinical trial programme called Explorer, assessing the oral anticoagulant Xarelto among various patient groups.