Cyclacel And AstraZeneca Collaboration On CYC103 Genomics Drug Target

DUNDEE - 17 April 2001 - Cyclacel Limited, the UK-based cancer therapeutics company, and AstraZeneca announced today that they have signed a collaboration agreement on Cyclacel's CYC103 research-stage genomic target programme. The objective of the collaboration is to pursue the research, development and commercialisation of novel anti-cancer drugs called macromolecular substrate inhibitors that are directed against the cyclin binding groove target. The cyclin binding groove is targeted by the body's own tumour suppressor genes in order to arrest the cell cycle of cancer cells.

Cyclacel and AstraZeneca will work together to develop small molecule drugs that mimic the body's own anticancer genes which stop the cell cycle and push cancer cells to commit suicide. CYC103 mimetics of cancer suppressing gene products have been the subject of extensive investigation of a Cyclacel team headed by Professor Sir David Lane, Chief Scientific Officer.

Under the terms of the agreement Cyclacel will receive upfront fees and milestone payments totalling $12 million in addition to royalties based on sales of an approved product. The collaboration includes Cyclacel's CYC103 intellectual property, understanding of mode of action and proprietary minimised gene proteins.

The companies have agreed upon specific tasks for the collaboration with AstraZeneca supporting Cyclacel's CYC103 work for an initial term of two years. Cyclacel will focus on developing peptidomimetic inhibitors utilising advanced computational and synthetic chemistry techniques, assay development and virtual screening, while AstraZeneca scientists will concentrate on high-throughput screening and a rational design approach to identify and optimise small molecule leads, as well as undertaking preclinical and clinical development. Cyclacel also has certain rights to participate in the clinical development of candidate drugs.

Dr Howard Marriage, Cyclacel's Executive Director, Business Development said: "CYC103 is our fourth research programme in terms of proximity to the clinic. Soon after AstraZeneca approached us to explore a CYC103 collaboration it became apparent that the combination of scientific talent at both companies offered an opportunity for more intense investigation to rapidly progress a rational drug design programme against this novel gene target. This collaboration underlines the commercial potential of developing small molecule cancer drugs from validated gene-derived targets such as those arising out of our Polgen division."

Dr Les Hughes, AstraZeneca's Vice President, Global Cancer Research, said: "AstraZeneca wishes to enhance its leading position in the discovery of agents that block signalling in tumour cells. We believe that the collaboration with Cyclacel offers the opportunity to achieve this goal by the discovery of a brand new class of agents that will prevent tumour cells from cycling. In addition, the technology employed could have wider application in tackling a variety of targets of interest. The complementary skills of the two companies will be used to good effect to enable us to meet our goals."

Spiro Rombotis, Cyclacel's Chief Executive said:
"The CYC103 deal with AstraZeneca, one of the world's largest players in cancer, validates our ability to deliver shareholder value from programmes at different stages of development. Together with CYC202, now in Phase I trials, and our CYC400 programme, which is making steady progress toward the clinic, we are building a diverse pipeline using our 'genes-to-drugs' approach."