Masaryk University Spin-Off Developing Stress-Measuring Device
The new stress-measuring device is expected to have many practical applications
University Licensed Compounds for Promising Research of Nucleases to British Company
The cooperation between scientists from Masaryk University and the British company Artios Pharma regarding new methods of treating cancer, which started in the summer of 2017, took a large step forward. In March 2018 the university concluded a licensing agreement with the company which allows Artios to use for their further research the unique compounds developer at and patented by Masaryk University.
“From the point of view of scope, signifikance and potential financial benefits for MU, this is so far the most important licence the Technology Transfer Office has ever helped to conclude,” says Dr. Radoslav Trautmann, the head of the Technology Transfer Department at TTO who is in charge of the collaboration with Artios. For more than a year, he and his colleagues have been providing their services to Assoc. Professors Krejčí and Paruch, who lead the research collaboration.
The duo of MU scientists works with the British company on the development of new methods of treating cancer. More specifically, they focus on inhibiting nucleases, that is enzymes that také part in repairing damaged DNA. Blocking this DNA repair process in cancer cells results in their destruction; that is why experts believe that substances blocking nuclease activity may have a great potential for treating a wide range of tumours.
“We are delighted to announce the in-licensing of our first nuclease programme from Masaryk University. This reflects the strong progress that has been made under our research and development collaboration with Mr. Krejci and Mr. Paruch at Masaryk University on DDR nucleases. The inlicensed programme has the potential to become a novel, first-in-class DDR targeted treatment for cancer, which complements our current development pipeline and further supports our position as a leader in the DDR field,“ says the CEO of Artios Pharma, Dr. Niall Martin.
The contracts concluded with Artios have made it possible for the promising research to be funded fully by this private company. “We believe nucleases have the potential to provide a new wave of innovative DDR-based cancer therapies and are confident in Artios’ ability to translate this programme to the clinic, to benefit the lives of cancer patients,” says Lumír Krejčí.
In case the research eventually yields an entirely innovative range of cancer drugs, Masaryk University will gain substantial income from this license. “After deducting the costs the university pays e.g. for patent protection, the licensing revenues or royalties coming to the Technology Transfer Office are re-distributed: a part goes to the originators of intellectual property as an incentive, another part goes to the university and its individual faculties. The profits are thus re-invested in further research and in the scientists who came up with the given invention,” adds Dr. Trautmann.
