Cambridge Antibody Technology enter gastric cancer drug agreement

Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT), the newly-acquired AstraZeneca subsidiary, has announced a new agreement with Debiopharm to develop a new agreement to develop and commercialise a new drug for the treatment of gastric cancer.

SC-1, a human monoclonal antibody, is designed to target a surface cell receptor found specifically in gastric cancer cells, called CD55SC01.

The deal between the two companies sees CAT paying Debiopharm an upfront royalty fee, in addition to royalties on sales in future.

Debiopharm’s Loic Maurel, chief executive officer of the Debiopharm group’s Canadian subsidiary, said his company was confident about CAT’s track record with monoclonal antibody drugs, which includes the discovery of Humira, the best-selling anti-TNF therapy licensed to Abbott.

Dr Richard Mason, senior vice president of development at CAT, remarked: “CAT is delighted with the agreement to develop and commercialise SC-1.”

“This is a further step in enhancing our pipeline and builds on our recent product acquisitions in this area,” he concluded.

CAT was bought by AstraZeneca earlier this year for 750 million pounds. AstraZeneca said the move would help it to move into new therapeutic areas and strengthen its product pipeline.

Cambridge-based CAT employs approximately 300 people and also has a site in Palo Alto in the US.