Sanomab Announces Exclusive Evaluation License Agreement for Pancreatic Cancer Monoclonal Antibody

May 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Sanomab Ltd of Waterlooville, United Kingdom, announced today that it has signed an exclusive evaluation license agreement with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the rights to a monoclonal antibody for a novel antigen identified by NCI researchers. Sanomab will initially develop this novel human therapeutic antibody for use in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

"This agreement represents Sanomab’s first milestone in our efforts to accelerate the development of new antibody therapies that incorporate the latest scientific advances for rapid clinical evaluation,” said Lee C. Smith, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of Sanomab, “Sanomab is committed to advancing promising mAb therapies for clinical development.  These may one day result in a product that gives hope to pancreatic cancer patients who, without doubt, are facing one of the most deadly cancers with limited therapeutic options."

After years of research studying tumour cell biology, researchers at the NCI discovered overexpressed cell surface molecules on the surface of a number of cancers, including pancreatic cancer cells.  In this instance, NCI researchers have identified a monoclonal antibody that is capable of binding to cell surface antigen that result in Antibody Dependant Cellular Cytotoxicity (ADCC) killing of the cancer cells. Sanomab will be working with industry partners to further develop this technology.  

Guided by novel companion diagnostics and advanced medical devices, these will greatly improve the odds of developing a novel therapy that can kill the cancer cells.  Promising data should ultimately result in the advancement of the mAb into preclinical and clinical evaluation.

Pancreatic cancer affects both men and women and has one of the highest rates of mortality for all cancers.  Over 8,000 cases were diagnosed in the UK in 2009.  The proportion of people surviving pancreatic cancer is extremely low.  The length of time between diagnosis and death is typically short, at usually less than six months.  Around only 16% of those diagnosed with the disease survive over one year.