Temozolomide Sales Reach $1 Billion
Friday 6th February 2009, London, UK - Sales of Temozolomide*, an anti-cancer drug developed by Cancer Research UK scientists, have reached $1 billion**. The charity receives a percentage royalty on these sales, which it uses to invest in new research to beat cancer.
Temozolomide – a chemotherapy drug for patients with the most common form of brain tumour – was discovered 30 years ago in a Cancer Research UK laboratory led by Professor Malcolm Stevens, then at Aston University in Birmingham.
The charity also undertook the first clinical trials of the drug which proved its activity against glioblastoma multiforme – the most aggressive type of brain tumour accounting for over 50 per cent of all primary cases of the disease.
Based on these phase I and phase II trials – which were managed by Cancer Research UK’s Drug Development Office – the charity’s commercial and development arm Cancer Research Technology (CRT) licensed the drug to Schering-Plough which now markets the drug. The company undertook the pivotal phase III studies which found that temozolomide, when given in combination with radiotherapy, results in a significant increase in survival with minimal side effects.
Dr Keith Blundy, chief executive of CRT, said: “We’re delighted that Temozolomide has achieved sales of over $1 billion. We’re extremely proud of our involvement in the licensing of Temozolomide as it has proved to be an effective treatment for people with brain tumours who otherwise have very limited treatment options.
“The royalties we receive from the sales of Temozolomide go straight back into the pot to fund further research to aid the development of even more drugs to help in our fight against the disease.”
The standard of care for glioblastoma multiforme – also known as glioma – includes chemotherapy during and after radiotherapy. The use of temozolomide both during radiotherapy and for six months post radiotherapy is now the gold standard treatment for most cases of the disease. Temozolomide works by killing cancer cells and sensitising them to the effects of radiation.
Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “This milestone highlights the significant impact our research is having on cancer drug development. It is testament to the ingenuity of the scientists who developed the original compound as well as the unique capabilities of our drug development and technology transfer teams.”
Cancer Research UK scientists have contributed to the discovery or early clinical development of 5-10 per cent of all major cancer treatments currently in clinical use around the world and has taken over 100 new drugs into patients for the first time.
Harpal Kumar continued: “This is just the latest example in a long list of successful treatments that have come out of Cancer Research UK funded research. Our scientists helped to discover and develop two of the most widely used cancer drugs in the world – carboplatin and cisplatin – which are used to treat ovarian, lung and testicular cancer.
“We also have a very exciting pipeline of almost 50 new drugs currently in clinical trials which could provide further significant weapons in the fight against cancer. Of these, several are in phase III development, including three potential new drugs for lung cancer, a disease in which we have sadly made little progress over the past few decades.
“Today’s news is a fantastic example of how the public’s investment, through their generous donations, in Cancer Research UK pays off.”
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 7061 8311 or, out of hours, the duty press officer on 07050 264 059.
Notes to editors:
*Temozolomide is also known by its brand names Temodar and Temodal. It is a type of drug known as an alkylating agent and it works by stopping cancer cells from making new DNA. If cancer cells cannot make DNA, they can’t split into two new cancer cells. Temozolomide comes as a capsule that can be swallowed.
**Sales of Temomozolmide were $1.002bn in 2008.
About brain cancer
Around 4,500 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year in the UK, and around 3,500 die from the disease. Brain tumours account for two per cent of all cancers diagnosed in the UK. Just over half – 52 per cent – of brain tumours diagnosed in the UK are gliomas.
About Cancer Research Technology
Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT) is a specialist commercialisation and development company, which aims to develop new discoveries in cancer research for the benefit of cancer patients. CRT works closely with leading international cancer scientists and their institutes to protect intellectual property arising from their research and to establish links with commercial partners. CRT facilitates the discovery, development and marketing of new cancer therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics and enabling technologies. CRT is wholly owned by Cancer Research UK, the largest independent funder of cancer research in the world.
About Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office
Cancer Research UK has an impressive record of developing novel treatments for cancer. It currently has a portfolio of almost 50 new anti-cancer agents in preclinical development, Phase I or early phase II clinical trials. Since 1982, the Cancer Research UK Drug Development Office has taken over 100 potential new anti-cancer agents into clinical trials in patients, five of which have made it to market and many others are still in development. These include temozolomide, a drug discovered by Cancer Research UK scientists, that is an effective new treatment for brain cancer. Six other drugs are in late development phase III trials. This rate of success is comparable to that of any pharmaceutical company.
About Cancer Research UK
• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer.
• Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer.
• Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients.
• Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is being made and the choices each person can make.
• Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7009 8820 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.
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