Eisai acquires TransMolecular tumour targeting assets

Eisai has announced the acquisition of innovative new technology from the biotechnology firm TransMolecular, which will aid its cancer research efforts.

Via its subsidiary Morphotek, the group has gained exclusive ownership of certain assets relating to TransMolecular's proprietary tumour targeting platform, allowing it to be used for a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

The platform is based on a peptide originally derived from scorpion venom that has proven useful in identifying potential new anti-cancer agents.

It has been shown in clinical trials to be able to deliver conjugated tumour-targeting peptides to the central nervous system and the periphery via penetration across the blood brain barrier.

An Eisai statement said: "The acquisition … is yet another important step in enabling the development of disease-specific compounds that can target disease cells and/or treat the underlying cause of a targeted disease."

Earlier this week, the company announced a deal with Prism BioLab over the development of a CBP/beta-catenin inhibitor as a treatment for solid tumours and leukaemia.