INGELHEIM, Germany. - Wednesday, January 14th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS
WIRE) Boehringer Ingelheim announced today that it has established a
research alliance with Vanderbilt University and the cancer drug
discovery laboratory of Professor Stephen W. Fesik, Ph.D., the Orrin H.
Ingram, II Chair in Cancer Research and Professor of Biochemistry,
Pharmacology, and Chemistry. The aim of the new collaboration is the
research and development of small molecule inhibitors of oncogenic Ras
for the treatment of cancer. Ras is the most frequently mutated oncogene
known in cancer with K-Ras being the most commonly mutated form
occurring in pancreas, colon, biliary tract and lung adenocarcinomas.
Mutations in the Ras family (comprised of H-Ras, N-Ras and K-Ras) are
very common, and found in 20 to 30 percent of all human tumors. Ras has
been a particularly difficult protein to target since its discovery in
human cancers more than 30 years ago.
Under the terms of the
agreement, the research capabilities of Vanderbilt University and
Boehringer Ingelheim will be brought together in a multi-year research
programme focusing on the development of small molecule inhibitors of
Ras. Further details of the agreement are not disclosed.
“We are
looking forward to working together with Professor Fesik and his team at
Vanderbilt University to discover new medicines for the Ras protein
family,” said Michel Pairet, M.D., Senior Corporate Vice President of
Research and Non-clinical Development at Boehringer Ingelheim. “We
believe that our combined strengths and philosophies in drug discovery
will go a long way in addressing what has up to now been a very
difficult drug target.”
“Dr. Fesik is a pioneer in the discovery of
small molecules that bind to and inhibit challenging drug target
proteins. The combination of his lab’s novel techniques and the
resources and expertise of Boehringer Ingelheim will result in a
powerful drug discovery team,” said Lawrence J. Marnett, Ph.D., the Mary
Geddes Stahlman Professor of Cancer Research, University Professor of
Biochemistry and Chemistry, and newly appointed associate vice
chancellor for Research for the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/news/news_releases/press_releases/2015/14_january_2015_collaboration.html
Contacts
Boehringer Ingelheim
Dr. Reinhard Malin
Corporate Communications – Oncology, and Pipeline
Phone: +49 (6132) 77-90815
email: reinhard.malin@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13365/en
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