University spin out forms cancer research company
Combines academic innovation with expertise of multi-disciplinary scientists
Preclinical Oncology Services (PRECOS), a pre-clinical research and development service with a specific focus on oncology, has been officially launched following its spin out from the University of Nottingham in the UK.
PRECOS has evolved from the research expertise of the Division of Pre-clinical Oncology (formerly Academic Unit of Cancer Studies). This unit has had successful collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotech companies in Europe, US and Japan for more than a decade.
The newly launched company combines the innovation of Nottingham University with the scientific background and expertise of multi-disciplinary scientists.
Headed by Professor Sue Watson, who will act as chief scientific officer and Dr Rajendra Kumari, chief operations officer, PRECOS will continue to advance its evaluation of potential therapeutic agents, regimens and basic research into tumour initiation and development.
Professor Watson said: ‘PRECOS occupies a niche in global pre-clinical r&d and is ideally positioned to exploit the growing cancer therapy market and we are looking forward to translating our laboratory expertise in cancer drug development into medicines with real patient benefits.’
PRECOS says its services offer advantages over traditional screening models as they specifically help researchers to identify drugs with a high chance of success and focus resources. New drugs can be screened early in the research process for anti-cancer activity, meaning those with potential beneficial effects can be identified and pursued, while others can be rejected.