Cardiff University Anti-Cancer Agent Licensed by Tiziana

Tiziana Life Sciences plc, a clinical stage biotechnology company has licensed a novel anti-cancer stem cell agent capable of targeting aggressive tumour forming cells originating from the breast, pancreas, colon and prostate, from Cardiff University scientists.

Known as OH14, the novel agent is an inhibitor of c-FLIP (cellular FLICE (FADD-like IL-1β-converting enzyme)-inhibitory protein), a known suppressor of apoptosis (programmed cell death). c-FLIP acts inside the cell by preventing the instructive cell death that occurs when a signal protein produced by neighbouring cells attaches to the target cell’s surface. c-FLIP blocks this death signal from entering the cell. Suppression of apoptosis is a recognised driver of cancer cell proliferation, thus by inhibiting this suppression it should be possible for cell death to occur and proliferation of cancer to be thwarted.

Under the terms of the agreement, Tiziana will fund £50,000 per year for a research project at the University focused on building the structure activity relationships (SARs) around OH14 and to improve the activity of this series of compounds. Milestone payments up to c.£2 million and royalties on sales of any licensed products developed as a result of the project will also be paid to the University. If certain milestones are achieved, Cardiff University will also receive 1% of the company’s enterprise value in the event of a trade sale of Tiziana to a third party.

This agreement is Tiziana’s second with the University following the Bcl3 licensing agreement in January 2014. Dr Richard Clarkson, lead researcher on the c-FLIP project and senior researcher at Cardiff University’s European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute (ECSCRI), said: "Cardiff University is delighted to extend its relationship with Tiziana Life Sciences. OH14 is an example of a new generation of experimental agents designed to selectively target the pernicious stems cells within a tumour, thus improving the long-term prospects of cancer patients."