AstraZeneca and Sarah Cannon Research Institute enter personalised medicine partnership

Published: 11-Jul-2013

The two firms also enhance their strategic clinical development collaboration


AstraZeneca will link up with clinical research organisation Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) to develop new cancer compounds using molecular profiling to classify tissue based upon genetic profiles to predict more accurately a patient’s response to therapy.

In addition, SCRI said its relationship with AstraZeneca would provide clinical programme development leadership, medical expertise and oversight, and operational CRO trial management for early phase clinical development of multiple oncology compounds.

‘Building upon this unique collaboration with SCRI allows us to continue honing our capabilities to deliver high quality research in a timely and cost-effective manner,’ said Professor Andrew Hughes, Vice President of Early Clinical Development at AstraZeneca.

‘Through this cutting-edge programme design, we can rapidly and effectively implement clinical trials with greater access to a network of cancer patients for enrolment.’

AstraZeneca is one of the initial participants in SCRI’s molecular profiling programme, which is part of Sarah Cannon’s broader personalised medicine initiative across the US and UK. SCRI and AstraZeneca originally entered into an agreement to develop novel oncology compounds in 2010.

‘By partnering with AstraZeneca, we are expanding opportunities to accelerate drug development and deliver more targeted therapies to patients who urgently need them,’ said Dee Anna Smith, Chief Executive of SCRI.

SCRI conducts clinical trials in oncology and cardiology through affiliations with a network of more than 700 physicians in the US and the UK. Additionally, the firm offers management, regulatory and other research support services to drug development sponsors and strategic investigator sites.

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