The companies aim to create novel, localized treatments that stop tumor re-growth after surgery through the direct application of a combined biomaterial/anticancer therapeutic at the site of tumor excision.
Such products may also be useful in treating inoperable tumors, reducing local tumor side-effects, and improving surgical outcomes while complementing existing systemic therapies.
The companies will conduct research jointly, with each contributing personnel, technology and intellectual property. Genzyme will have primary responsibility for clinical development, manufacturing and worldwide commercialization of any collaboration products. Angiotech will participate in the development of products and will have a co-marketing option. Collaboration costs and any eventual profits will be shared equally.
“The possibility of augmenting current treatment strategies by adding a tumor-direct, non-systemic approach is of great interest to Genzyme,” stated Duke Collier, executive vice president of Genzyme. “This collaboration expands our oncology program, underscores our commitment to our biomaterials platform, which includes several marketed products, and may provide an important new treatment option for patients.”