Drug developer Scancell Holdings PLC (LON:SCLP) is teaming up with Sweden’s leading research organisation - a collaboration that may aid the development of one of its two breakthrough technologies.
Discussions with the rheumatology unit at Karolinska Institutet will explore the role of citrullinated proteins in the treatment of cancer.
These particular proteins are more commonly associated with arthritis, though Scancell’s work suggests they are key to tumour growth.
This avenue of research led the company to develop the Moditope platform technology that overcomes the immune suppression induced by tumours themselves.
The work of professors Lars Klareskog and Vivianne Malmström, of the Karolinska Institutet, has focused on rheumatoid arthritis.
“We believe that this strategic collaboration with Karolinska will enhance our joint understanding of the role that citrullination plays in both cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, and will help us develop the Moditope platform to its full potential," said professor Lindy Durrant, joint chief executive of Scancell who is also Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy at Nottingham University.