On May 19, 2004 TG (LSE: BGC), the intellectual property and technology commercialisation company, reported that it has concluded a licence and research collaboration agreement with Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT), the technology transfer company of the charity Cancer Research UK, and The Institute of Cancer Research, for a new class of cancer drug (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, MAY 19, 2004, View Source [SID1234523453]).

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Under the terms of this agreement (financial details were not disclosed), BTG has obtained exclusive worldwide rights to a series of novel quinazoline anti-tumour agents developed by Professor Ann Jackman and colleagues at The Institute of Cancer Research. These patented compounds are potent tumour growth inhibitors and appear to have a unique mechanism of action. Given their very promising anti-tumour activity in xenograft models, they show the early signs of being an exciting novel class of anti-tumour agent.

BTG will be responsible for the future development and commercialisation of these compounds, in the first instance partly through a sponsored collaboration at The Institute of Cancer Research. Within this collaborative programme, Professor Jackman and colleagues will continue their laboratory studies on the compounds. BTG intends to then carry the work forward towards entry into the clinic.

Harpal Kumar, CEO of CRT, commented, "CRT are pleased to have entered into this partnership with BTG and The Institute of Cancer Research. We look forward to seeing these promising therapeutic agents progress towards the clinic, with the long-term aim of achieving patient benefit."

Roger Harrison, Head of BTG’s Oncology Business Unit, said, "The laboratory data on these compounds is impressive and suggests an exciting new mode of action. Given confirmation of these data, our aim will be to seek early proof-of-concept before licensing on to a pharmaceutical company partner. This is the model we are using successfully for our other cancer drugs, BGC 9331 and BGC 945."