Altachem signs collaborative agreement with Korean research institute

12-Sep-2005

Altachem Pharma Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with the Research Centre for Bioactive Materials (RCBM) at Korea's Chonbuk National University. The MOU is a formal agreement by the two organizations to identify collaborative research programs and is expected to quickly lead to the establishment of specific projects designed to underpin Altachem's discovery programs in cancer.

The MOU calls for both parties to collaborate in reviewing Altachem's research and technology development needs and plan projects that will most effectively meet those needs. An early priority for collaboration will be the cyclin-dependant kinase inhibitor program (CDKi), which Altachem would like to accelerate. CDK inhibitors are rapamycin analogues that have the potential specifically to inhibit certain enzymes involved in cancer cell proliferation and invasion. The company has already identified some promising lead compounds that appear to have powerful inhibitory effects on several cancer cell lines. These groups of compounds are likely to complement SonoLight technology in the company's drive to provide comprehensive treatment options for cancer patients. Given adequate resources, the company is expected to take this product to the clinical stage by end of Q4, 2006.

Additionally, the company is anxious to deploy more resources to its sonodynamic therapy program. Again, consistent with the corporate strategy of providing comprehensive cancer treatment options, this technology allows certain of Altachem's Hypocrellin derivatives to be activated by ultrasound, rather than light, thus opening up the possibility of treating deep-seated tumours.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/48882/altachem-signs-collaborative-agreement-with-korean-research-institute.html