AstraZeneca signs anti-cancer agreement

AstraZeneca has signed a new partnership agreement for the development of compounds to tackle cancer.

The firm has formed a new partnership with the National Cancer Centre Singapore and the National University Hospital.

AstraZeneca said the goal of the collaboration is is to speed up access to new medications to patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and build its drug development capabilities in Asia.

The company said HCC is especially prevalent in Asia and accounts for around one million deaths around the world each year, with a mortality rate of over 90 per cent within five years due to its inoperable nature.

Dr Brent Vose, vice-president of oncology therapeutics at AstraZeneca, said: “AstraZeneca is committed to the research and development of new, targeted anti-cancer therapies in Asia to improve the lives of cancer patients, beginning with those affected by HCC.”

He added there exists an unmet need for liver cancer treatments, especially in East Asia where three-quarters of HCC patients live.

Last week, a study from Cancer Research UK found cancer patients are three times more likely to contemplate suicide than other people, highlighting the need for increased support services, with a focus on pain management.