On March 5, 2014 Alchemia Limited (ASX: ACL), a drug discovery and development company, reported the in-licensing of two early-stage novel anticancer drug candidates from Cancer Research Technology (CRT) (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, MAR 5, 2014, View Source [SID1234523230]). The preclinical Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) inhibitors originate from the Australian Cancer Therapeutics CRC (CTx) and will be evaluated by Alchemia in various cancer and cancer stem cell models prior to initiation of formal preclinical and clinical development. The two licenses include fees, milestones and royalty payments. Further terms are not disclosed.

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"We are looking forward to evaluating these novel molecules and their effect on the tumour environment and cancer stem cells that are essential for the growth, persistence and reoccurrence of cancer," said Tracey Brown, Alchemia’s Chief Scientific Officer. "We plan to use our established oncology and cancer stem cell models to evaluate the potential clinical benefits of the drugs in vivo prior to initiating further IND enabling studies."

FAK is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase which plays an important role in the development and spread of numerous malignancies and has therefore emerged as a promising target in cancer therapy. Inhibition of FAK has the potential to provide numerous therapeutic benefits to cancer patients by disrupting tumour development and metastasis, while overcoming chemo-resistance to a broad variety of currently used cytotoxic drugs. Through these combined therapeutic effects, FAK inhibitors have the potential to treat a range of cancers and may provide a longer lasting clinical response and improved patient outcomes.

"Alchemia is excited about the in-licensing of these two novel compounds as it will enable our Melbourne-based oncology research team to further evaluate and advance these assets," said Thomas Liquard CEO of Alchemia. "CRT has a stellar reputation for scientific innovation and we are proud that CRT/CTx selected Alchemia to progress these FAK inhibitors."

"CTx was funded under the Australian CRC Program to bridge the gap between excellent Australian research and the discovery of new drugs based on that research," said Warwick Tong, Chief Executive Officer of CTx. "We are excited to see the first drug candidates from our novel pipeline move towards the next stage of their development in the hands of one of Australia’s leading innovative biotech companies."