Molplex Pharmaceuticals, a drug discovery company using advanced artificial intelligence systems aimed at reducing the cost and time to develop effective novel treatments, has announced a pioneering new research collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca. The agreement will provide the framework to explore new research approaches to tackle the mechanisms of cancer progression and to translate them into urgently needed effective treatments for cancer patients around the world.
“Despite the progress in cancer research there are still many forms that lack effective treatment,” said Dr David E. Leahy, CEO of Molplex. “This new collaboration - our first with AstraZeneca - will add to our growing portfolio of new potential medicines for controlling and treating multiple forms of cancer, including the more aggressive types. We’re delighted to be embarking on such an important long-term relationship with one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies.”
Bridging the gap between basic research in understanding the causes of cancer and developing new drug-like compounds ready for clinical trials, Molplex will apply its proprietary artificial intelligence systems and advanced laboratory automation to results previously obtained by AstraZeneca’s Oncology Innovative Medicines group.
This research aims to accelerate the pace of new drug discovery and increase the number of new oncology drug candidates generated so that more drug candidates can potentially be thoroughly investigated and brought to market.
Scientists from Molplex and AstraZeneca will collaborate on the research project. Molplex will carry out most of the work in R&D phases at its world class facilities at the BioHub, Alderley Park in Cheshire. AstraZeneca will have an option to advance promising lead compounds into preclinical and clinical testing.
Under the terms of the agreement, Molplex will receive payments for any resulting compounds that progress through milestones from discovery to market.
Susan Galbraith, Head of the Oncology Innovative Medicines Unit, AstraZeneca, said “We are pleased to be collaborating with Molplex in the pursuit of new compounds for the treatment of cancer. In particular, we hope that their proprietary ‘Discovery Automation Platform,’ will help to speed discovery of new compounds which we may ultimately be able to develop into treatments for patients with cancer.”
About Molplex Pharmaceuticals
Molplex is a new class of drug discovery company using highly automated decision making systems to identify new treatments and develop portfolios of new medicines for cancer, infection, rare diseases and patients with particular genetic compositions. Bridging the gap between early research and clinic-ready products, Molplex uses proprietary artificial intelligence technology combined with advanced laboratory automation to deliver safer, more effective drugs at a fraction of the traditional cost. The company’s ground-breaking predictive technology and novel therapeutics are expected to improve the lives of over 500 million people worldwide. For more information please visit: www.molplex.com
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com
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