The cell adhesion molecule CD146 plays a critical role in tumour angiogenesis, an essential process for cancer development and metastasis. Researchers in the lab of Prof Xiyun Yan at IBP CAS developed an anti-CD146 monoclonal antibody that dramatically inhibits tumour angiogenesis, migration and invasion. Humanization of the antibody is an essential step in the development of anti-CD146 as a therapeutic.
Dave Tapolczay, MRC Techology’s CEO said: “The IBP CAS is one of the world’s leading academic research institutions and we are very pleased with the results of this collaboration. We are hopeful that the positive evaluation results for the humanized antibody will prove to be a significant milestone in cancer therapy and the fight against the disease.”
MRC Technology has humanized over 50 antibodies to date, including two marketed products, Tysabri (natalizumab) and Actemra (tocilizumab). A further six are in clinical trials (including vedolizumab) and two more in preclinical studies.
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E-mail: shargreaves@tech.mrc.ac.uk
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About MRC Technology
MRC Technology (www.mrctechnology.org) is a technology transfer organisation responsible for adding commercial value to cutting edge scientific discoveries through strategic patent protection, creative licensing of intellectual property (IP), partnered research or further scientific development.
As well as offering technology transfer services to the UK’s Medical Research Council the Company has recently broadened its activity to include helping other charitable and academic organisations (such as AICR) with IP management and commercial development of healthcare-related science, thus bringing valuable income back to the organisations to help fund further research.
MRC Technology also has small molecule drug discovery and therapeutic antibody facilities, providing lead-stage therapeutic assets to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
About IBP
The Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBP CAS) is a top ranked academic Institution performing cutting edge research in life sciences and generates important scientific results which can point to potential new targets for therapeutic intervention.
