Redx Pharma and Pierre Fabre collaborate in skin cancer drug field
Will together develop a small molecule programme for an undisclosed cancer target
UK drug developer Redx Pharma and French pharmaceutical company Pierre Fabre Laboratories are to work together to develop a small molecule programme for an undisclosed cancer target.
Following the first stage of the collaboration, the Pierre Fabre Research Institute (IRPF), located on the Toulouse-Oncopole campus, will have the option to enter into exclusive negotiations to license global rights for the programme in selected cancer indications.
Financial terms have not been disclosed, but Redx Pharma Chief Executive Neil Murray said the deal was ‘a highly significant milestone’ in the company’s development. It also represents the first major transaction for Redx Pharma's anti-cancer subsidiary Redx Oncology.
The Redx Pharma group is focused on early stage drug discovery and development programmes at sites in Liverpool (Redx Oncology) and at Alderley Park, Cheshire (Redx Anti-infectives).
Pierre Fabre, the second-largest French pharmaceutical company, has expertise in both oncology and dermatology. Its portfolio is focused on chemotherapies, monoclonal antibodies, immuno-conjugates assets at various development stages and several dermatological drugs, including dedicated products for orphan and debilitating conditions such as infantile hemangiomas.
The collaboration demonstrates the potential of our oncology pipeline to deliver novel cancer therapeutics
The company's pipeline has been reinforced recently with a licensing agreement for a new cancer therapeutic in immuno-oncology, AUNP12, an immune checkpoint modulator targeting the PD-1 pathway.
'The collaboration demonstrates the potential of our oncology pipeline to deliver novel cancer therapeutics which all concerned hope will generate significant patient benefits,' said Murray.
'We look forward to benefiting from Pierre Fabre’s outstanding capabilities in this area and developing a long and successful partnership.'
Christian Bailly, Head of Research at Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals, said: 'This collaboration with Redx Oncology marks an additional milestone in our partnering research strategy. Combining our capabilities with Redx researchers will accelerate our drug discovery process.'
Dr Jean-Jacques Voisard, General Manager of Pierre Fabre Dermatologie, the division in charge of Pierre Fabre’s dermatology product portfolio, added: 'Capitalising on our proven scientific expertise in oncology, skin cancers represent one of the key axes of our R&D efforts in dermatology.'