www.circadian.com.au
Circadian Technologies Limited (ASX: CIR) is an Australian biotechnology company developing innovative, biologics-based therapies for the treatment of cancer and other serious human illnesses. Circadian owns an extensive portfolio of products and intellectual property related to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGFs), a class of proteins that play a critical role in regulating tumour blood supply. These programs are conducted through Vegenics Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Circadian.
Circadian Technologies & CSIRO forge landmark alliance to develop cancer treatments
Melbourne-based biologics drug developer Circadian Technologies (ASX: CIR) and the CSIRO have announced a collaboration to advance the development of cancer treatments.
Robert Klupacs managing director of Circadian said, "we are extremely excited by this collaboration. Having access to CSIRO’s world class infrastructure and research expertise will greatly assist us in bringing our molecules to the clinic."
"Circadian has a strong position in this area of potential therapeutics for cancer and we applaud the vision of the CSIRO to work closely with Australian companies such as ours."
The alliance is part of the CSIRO’s program to assist and facilitate development of new technologies with Australian biotech companies and will see CSIRO and Circadian collaborate in activities to aid the development of Circadian’s novel, biologics-based treatments for cancer and other serious diseases.
In essence, Circadian will provide funding and access to its technology and lead drug candidates (molecules). CSRIO will provide access to its world class biological production infrastructure, process development capability and internal research expertise.
Circadian and CSRIO will work together on the ongoing research and development of Circadian’s VEGF technology to develop promising new potential treatments for cancer.
VEGF technology refers to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF), a class of proteins that play a critical role in regulating tumour blood supply. Circadian, which owns extensive intellectual property related to VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGF receptor R3, is developing antibodies to block these proteins to inhibit the growth and spread of cancerous cells or tumours.
With the significant success of Avastin®, the first cancer treatment developed based on this approach by blocking the activity of VEGF-A, the development of antibodies targeting the VEGF proteins is arguably one of the most promising potential new treatment approaches for cancer.
Specifically, the CSIRO and Circadian alliance will focus on the development of improved production systems for Circadian’s molecules, molecular modelling, assay development, testing of future drug candidates as well as other projects which may be mutually agreed by the parties.
Dr Steve Morton CSIRO Group Executive said: ”CSIRO is very pleased to be working with Circadian, an Australian biotech company, to advance its product development pipeline."
