Cyclacel Announces Major Cancer Genomics Initiative

DUNDEE - 8 March 2000 - Cyclacel Limited, the UK-based cancer therapeutics company, today announced the establishment of Polgen, a wholly-owned Cyclacel unit located in Cambridge, UK, engaged in the study of new cancer genes that are involved in mitosis or cell division. Polgen genes are targets for discovering innovative cancer drugs.

Polgen is the result of a collaboration between Cyclacel and Professor David Glover, Chairman of the Department of Genetics at the University of Cambridge. Professor Glover made pioneering discoveries of important new cancer genes that are involved in mitosis and meiosis. In studying the architecture of the cellular cytoskeleton, Professor Glover has concentrated on a hallmark event in cell division: the separation of the spindle component at the core of a cancer cell into each of two daughter cells (the G2/M phase of the cell cycle). Specifically he has amassed a collection of over 100 mutations that identify genes of the fruit fly that are preserved in human evolution. These genes are promising drug targets because they appear to be effective in controlling cell division in cancer cells. A number of patent applications have been filed to protect Professor Glover's discoveries.

Drugs that impact this G2/M phase of the cell cycle, such as paclitaxel, work by interfering with the mitotic spindle. These 'taxane' drugs are widely used in treating cancer but have serious side effects. New drugs based on a thorough understanding of the G2/M phase and the molecular mechanisms of mitosis might offer safety and efficacy advantages over the taxanes. Spiro Rombotis, Cyclacel's Chief Executive, said: "Soon after Professor Glover approached us to explore a collaboration, it became clear that the world-class scientific excellence he adds to our team is also a rare source of valuable new cancer targets. Cyclacel has built a productive drug discovery engine with products now advancing toward the clinic. With Polgen we have secured a large number of genomic targets to drive through our rational drug design process." Professor David Glover, Polgen's Chief Scientific Officer, said: "I am enthusiastic about participating in the Polgen venture which is fulfilling a long standing wish. Cyclacel has established a visionary team of first class scientists and industry executives with a shared goal: discovering novel, mechanism-based cancer drugs and advancing them to the clinic. I look forward to contributing to making this genes-to-drugs vision a reality."

Professor Sir David Lane, Cyclacel's Chief Scientific Officer, said: "We are delighted to formally welcome Professor Glover as a Cyclacel collaborator after several months of intensive preparations. His discoveries have the potential to advance our understanding of the regulation of the complex mechanisms that make cancer cells divide. His expertise in mitosis is highly complementary to Cyclacel's established expertise in the G1/S phase of the cell cycle."