4SC AG
Press Release 4SC: CRELUX and 4SC Discovery awarded research grant for new epigenetic cancer drugs
4SC AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Press Release CRELUX and 4SC Discovery awarded research grant for new epigenetic cancer drugs Project for identifying new bromodomain inhibitors initiated under the Munich m4 biotech cluster programme Planegg-Martinsried, Germany, 24 July 2014 – 4SC AG (Frankfurt, Prime Standard: VSC), a discovery and development company of targeted small molecule drugs for autoimmune diseases and cancer, today announced that its subsidiary 4SC Discovery GmbH, which specialises in the discovery and early-stage research of new substances, has been awarded a research grant for the discovery and identification of new epigenetic anti-cancer compounds in collaboration with its strategic cooperation partner CRELUX GmbH. A joint research project between 4SC Discovery and CRELUX initially running for eleven months will receive funding under the Munich m4 biotech cluster programme. It will focus on the identification of bromodomain inhibitors and their possible later use in personalised medicine. Bromodomains are considered promising targets for new drugs. By specifically blocking these bromodomains, it is intended to influence tumour cells in such a way that they are either identified and destroyed by the body’s immune system or driven into apoptosis (programmed cell death). Bromodomains allow epigenetic enzymes to attach to DNA complexes thus regulating the reading of the genetic information (DNA) in the cells. If these processes malfunction, the development of diseases such as cancer may be facilitated. An objective of the funded m4 project by CRELUX and 4SC Discovery is the modulation of these mechanisms with new small-molecule compounds. Dr Daniel Vitt, Managing Director of 4SC Discovery GmbH and Chief Scientific Officer of 4SC AG, said: “Epigenetic processes are instrumental in the development and differentiation of cells. However, their malfunctioning is also responsible for the development of diseases such as cancer. Through our research work, we have already built up extensive expertise in the inhibition of different epigenetic modulators from HDAC proteins up to LSD1. We will use this expertise now in collaboration with our long-term partner CRELUX to also identify potential inhibitors for the highly attractive bromodomain proteins. This cooperation is a further step in establishing the joint i2c platform of CRELUX and 4SC Discovery as one of Europe’s leading technology platforms for innovative, ambitious drug discovery.” Dr Michael Schaeffer, Executive Director Strategy and Business of CRELUX GmbH, comments: “We are delighted to kick off yet another project in our strategic i2c alliance with 4SC Discovery. This will enable us to use our complementary technologies together once again. In the area of epigenetics, both partners have outstanding expertise from early-stage research to clinical development. CRELUX, for example, has established the world’s largest portfolio of purified epigenetic proteins and numerous specific screening methods. We firmly believe that with our i2c platform we have created an excellent position from which to supply important starting points for new therapeutic agents in this innovative field of research.” End of press release About the Munich-based biotech cluster programme “m4 – Personalised Medicine and Targeted Therapies” The joint epigenetic bromodomain inhibitor project of 4SC Discovery and CRELUX is funded by the ‘m4 – Personalised Medicine and Targeted Therapies’ programme, for which the Munich Biotech Cluster was awarded “Leading-Edge cluster status” by the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF) in 2010. For a five-year period, the m4 programme is funded with EUR 40 million from the BMBF, which are complemented by EUR 40 million from the participating companies in more than 40 cooperative R&D projects from industry and scientific institutions. The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Media, Energy and Technology supports the cluster management agency BioM and particular components of the concept with an additional EUR 12 million. For more information please visit http://www.m4.de/. About the i2c drug discovery platform of CRELUX and 4SC Discovery (www.i2c-discovery.com) The integrated drug discovery platform i2c (idea to candidate) set up by CRELUX and 4SC Discovery offers biotech and pharmaceutical companies flexible and high-quality solutions for pharmaceutical early-stage research. i2c covers the key elements of the drug discovery value chain from the project idea to a preclinical development candidate; this is a clearly defined and optimised chemical compound (small molecule) ready to further advance into formal pharmaceutical development, first in animal models and thereafter in clinical trials. Both partners contribute their leading-edge expertise in complementary areas of drug discovery to i2c. The services provided by CRELUX comprise the production of high-quality proteins, crystallography and compound screening. Next to its in silico screening and medicinal chemistry capacities, 4SC Discovery adds to that a team of pharmacologists with a proven track-record of bringing small molecule compounds from drug discovery to clinical trials. About 4SC’s epigenetic research and development portfolio in oncology A key focus of 4SC is the research and development of epigenetic cancer drugs. The company pursues a number of attractive programmes in clinical development and at early research stages. Resminostat, 4SC’s lead oncology compound, is an oral histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor with an innovative epigenetic mechanism of action that potentially enables the compound to be deployed as a novel cancer therapy for a broad spectrum of oncological indications, especially in combination with other cancer drugs. HDAC inhibitors modify the DNA structure of tumour cells, among others, and can trigger cell differentiation and programmed cell death (apoptosis). In combination therapy with conventional cancer drugs they can achieve synergistic therapy effects. To date, resminostat has been examined – by 4SC in Europe and its development partner Yakult Honsha in Japan – in a Phase I/II development programme in the indications of liver cancer (HCC), Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), colorectal cancer (CRC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In its planned further development of resminostat, 4SC is focusing on liver cancer (HCC). Here, the company is currently preparing a randomised controlled Phase II trial in order to compare the combination therapy of resminostat and the cancer drug sorafenib to the current standard HCC therapy option of sorafenib alone. 4SC-202 is the second epigenetic drug candidate in the 4SC’s clinical development portfolio. 4SC-202 is an orally available, selective inhibitor of the epigenetic modulators LSD 1 as well as HDAC 1, 2 and 3 thus modulating the Hedgehog and Wnt pathways critical for tumour development and recurrence. 4SC-202 can therefore inhibit properties that are essential for cancer stem cells. Positive top-line results of a clinical Phase I trial conducted on heavily pretreated patients with advanced haematological tumours were announced at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting. Moreover, in its research and drug discovery activities in the field of epigenetics, the company and its subsidiary 4SC Discovery GmbH engage in the discovery of novel drug candidates for further epigenetic targets including peptidyl arginine deiminases (PADs), MSK (mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase) and protein deacetylase (DAC). About CRELUX GmbH CRELUX (www.crelux.com) is a provider of high-quality research services in early-stage drug development. Its core expertise lies in the production of prime proteins and their use in biophysical compound screenings and protein crystallography. The privately-owned company has established itself as a reliable premium partner for the global pharma and biotech industry. As a research partner, CRELUX has a portfolio of premium technologies and top-level expertise in protein biochemistry. These include innovations in protein expression for the production of ultra-pure protein for use in research and diagnostics (PRIME PROTEIN services), a wide selection of target proteins for X-ray crystallography that are relevant for human therapy (XPRESS portfolio), customised programmes for the solution of new protein structures (XPERT service) and innovative technology for fragment and compound screening (INTRACT). About 4SC and 4SC Discovery GmbH The Group managed by 4SC AG (www.4sc.de) discovers and develops targeted small-molecule drugs for the treatment of diseases with a high unmet medical need in various autoimmune and cancer indications. Founded in 1997, 4SC had 64 employees (headcount) or 55 full-time equivalents (FTEs) at 31 March 2014. 4SC AG has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since December 2005. 4SC Discovery GmbH (www.4sc-discovery.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 4SC AG, specialises in early-stage research and discovery of novel therapeutic compounds against cancer and autoimmune diseases. 4SC Discovery engages in partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies in order to advance the development and commercialisation of its own therapeutic programmes. In addition, as a drug discovery service provider 4SC Discovery offers its expertise via research collaborations to companies from the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement applies only on the date of this press release. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may or may not occur in the future and as a result of which the actual results and performance may differ substantially from the expected future results or performance expressed or implied in the forward looking statements. No warranties or representations are made as to the accuracy, achievement or reasonableness of such statements, estimates or projections, and 4SC AG has no obligation to update any such information or to correct any inaccuracies herein or omission herefrom which may become apparent. For more information please visit www.4sc.com and www.4sc-discovery.de or contact: 4SC AG MC Services The Trout Group For more information about CRELUX please visit www.crelux.com or contact: CRELUX GmbH End of Corporate News 24.07.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a company of EQS Group AG. 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Language: | English | |
Company: | 4SC AG | |
Am Klopferspitz 19a | ||
82152 Martinsried | ||
Germany | ||
Phone: | +49 (0)89 7007 63-0 | |
Fax: | +49 (0)89 7007 63-29 | |
E-mail: | public@4sc.com | |
Internet: | www.4sc.de | |
ISIN: | DE0005753818 | |
WKN: | 575381 | |
Listed: | Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart | |
End of News | DGAP News-Service |
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