Oncology

Cancer affects approximately one in three people over their lifetime. While there are many different types of cancer, the underlying cause is the same. Cells divide and grow in an uncontrolled manner, most commonly resulting in solid primary tumours which if undiagnosed, can spread to other organs creating metastatic growths. The growth of tumour cells is supported by pro-angiogenic factors released by tumour cells, endothelial cells, macrophages, fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix. These factors contribute to the production of new blood vessels in and around the tumour providing nutrients and oxygen for the rapidly proliferating cancer cells.

UCB’s oncology scientists are investigating novel therapies directed against molecularly defined targets to inhibit both tumour cell growth and tumour angiogenesis. The main areas of focus are:

• The identification and development of NCEs, particularly kinases, a central target family in oncology. There is a wealth of kinase expertise at UCB across disciplines including protein production, biochemical and cellular assays, enzymology, medicinal chemistry and crystallography and structure-based drug design

•  The identification and development of antibodies that inhibit tumour cell growth either directly or by engaging patients' immune cells and antibodies linked to cytotoxic drugs, that are selectively directed to tumours by antibodies thereby reducing indiscriminate cell destruction

• The identification and development of cytostatic antibodies that slow or stop tumour growth, predominantly through the inhibition of angiogenesis

UCB has two drugs in development to treat cancer: CMC544, an antibody-based drug to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, being developed with Wyeth, and CDP791, an antibody-based, angiogenesis inhibitor to treat non-small-cell lung cancer.