The new collaboration combines MD Anderson’s unique understanding of potential drivers of PDAC with Boehringer Ingelheim’s experience in drug discovery and development.
Pancreatic cancer accounts for four percent of cancer deaths worldwide (330,000 people) and is the seventh most common cause of death from cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is anticipated to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the US before 2030.
Newly diagnosed patients have a median survival of less than one year, and a 5-year survival rate of only 3 to 5 percent. PDAC is one of the most lethal of cancers due to its late detection and resistance to available standard-of-care therapy. Effective medicines directed against PDAC are therefore urgently needed.
Boehringer Ingelheim senior corporate vice president of discovery research Clive Wood said: "We are excited to be able to work with the leading cancer research and care institution in the world to develop therapies for patients with this devastating cancer.
"This partnership is a perfect match because it combines MD Anderson’s outstanding capabilities in preclinical concept validation and clinical testing with Boehringer Ingelheim’s strength in developing innovative medicines."
The collaboration will focus on identifying and developing therapeutic concepts in novel target areas as well as identification of biomarkers that can accurately identify patients who would respond to potential new therapies.
MD Anderson’s Center for co-Clinical trials executive director and co-leader Timothy Heffernan said: "At MD Anderson, we have created integrated platforms that will enable the discovery of more effective therapeutics for cancer patients.
"This alliance combines expertise in cancer genetics and translational medicine with outstanding drug discovery and development and it has great potential to conquer devastating diseases like pancreatic cancer."