The collaboration will generate anti-CEA scFv molecules which will be genetically fused with albumin using Novozymes proprietary Albufuse technology for future therapeutic or preventive applications.
Cancer Research Technology (CRT), the specialist oncology development and commercialisation company, announces a new technology licence agreement and collaboration between researchers at UCL (University College London) and Novozymes Delta UK (Nottingham, UK) to develop novel anti-cancer therapeutics.
The new programme of collaborative research will draw on the expertise of both parties.
Previous research funded by Cancer Research UK and led by Richard Begent and Kerry Chester at the Royal Free and University College Medical School, UCL, has generated an anti-CEA single chain antibody fragment (scFV) called MFE-23 and related derivatives.
MFE-23 is a high-affinity single chain antibody fragment against CEA, a tumour-associated antigen expressed in a wide variety of cancers including GI tract, breast, lung and prostate.
MFE-23 shows exceptional specificity for tumour-associated CEA.
Albufuse, albumin fusion technology, pioneered by Novozymes is a simple but flexible technology for the production of proteins with extended circulatory half-life.
Albufuse has been scientifically proven with a number of therapeutically relevant proteins.
Dave Mead, Novozymes Delta's business development director, commented: "MFE-23 has great potential and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with CRT in the fight against cancer.
"We are confident that our albumin fusion technology can enhance this molecule's bioavailability and efficacy.
"This is a great example of how Novozymes' bioinnovation will sustain and enhance the development of biopharmaceuticals in the future".
CRT will lead on commercialising the intellectual property that will arise from the project, using Novozymes Delta's proprietary technology.
At the end of the collaboration, CRT will seek an industrial partner to develop MFE-23 for clinical use.
Phil L'Huillier, CRT's director of business management, said: "MFE-23 clearly has a great deal of potential, both in therapeutic and preventive applications relating to cancer.
"Novozymes brings a tremendous amount of expertise and IP in terms of the yeast expression and albumin fusion technology, as well as its proven cGMP manufacturing experience.
"Through this collaboration, our academic partners will be able to develop the technology and create a very attractive proposition for commercialisation.
"And that could bring the benefits of their research to cancer patients sooner."
