Celltech collaborates to pioneer new magnetotherapy technology
UK-based Celltech Antibody Centre of Excellence, part of UCB, has joined forces with the University of Durham and Oxford Instruments Molecular Biotools to develop the first UK antibody-targeted magnetotherapy technology; a potential new approach for cancer therapy that uses techniques never before applied to pharmaceuticals.
UK-based Celltech Antibody Centre of Excellence, part of UCB, has joined forces with the University of Durham and Oxford Instruments Molecular Biotools to develop the first UK antibody-targeted magnetotherapy technology; a potential new approach for cancer therapy that uses techniques never before applied to pharmaceuticals.
Celltech's targeted antibody technology will deliver inert nanoparticles to tumours that are subsequently treated by application of a controlled external magnetic field. Celltech is a pioneer in the area of targeted therapy, developing, through its collaboration with Wyeth, the first antibody targeted chemotherapy medicine (Mylotarg) in 2000. Recent Celltech innovations include facilitating the production of ultra-potent antibodies in a fraction of the normal time. It is expected that this technology will be deployed in this new partnership.
An interdisciplinary team made up of physicists and chemists, from the University of Durham led by Dr John Evans, will initially concentrate on magnetic particle production and coating. The team has expertise in the fabrication of designer magnetic particles with controllable size, shape and magnetic properties that will be crucial for this application.
The scientists are backed by the world-leading resources of two of Durham's strongest science departments and have a rare combination of facilities for the design, production, chemical development and characterisation of the materials that are at the heart of this new technology.
The Oxford Instruments Molecular Biotools team, led by Dr Andy Sowerby, is providing the controlled magnetic environment that initiates the process of apoptosis of the targeted tumour cell. Oxford Instruments' long experience in the generation of magnetic environments will be key to understanding the forces required and their duration with a variety of different particles to optimise the efficacy of the technique.
Professor Mike Eaton, head of Celltech antibody chemistry, said: 'I am delighted that we have managed to assemble the best team to drive this ground-breaking, nano-surgery project right from its earliest stages. We have signed a three-way agreement involving the UK leaders in antibody technology, magnetic instruments and nanoparticle design in our quest to explore new opportunities in cancer treatments.'