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news.Locus Pharmaceuticals has entered into a cooperative R&D agreement with the US National Cancer Institute to develop novel anticancer therapies using Locus' proprietary technology.
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The focus of the cooperative R&D agreement (CRADA) is heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a target of considerable current scientific interest because of its potential pathophysiological role in cancer and other cell proliferative diseases and disorders.
Under the terms of the agreement, Locus will create one or more series of molecules in silico that will be designed to have high specific affinity for Hsp90. The NCI will then conduct pre-clinical studies on the synthesized compounds to identify those that could ultimately be suitable for clinical study.
Locus has a first option to an exclusive license on any inventions resulting from this collaboration.
“We view this target as a great opportunity to combine our highly efficient drug design and lead optimization engine with the National Cancer Institute (NCI)’s world class cancer biology and drug development capabilities to potentially accelerate the conventional timelines needed to develop new cancer therapies,” said Dr William Moore, Locus’ vice president of R&D and chief scientific officer.