Case Studies
Oxford is home to a world leading clinical trial development and delivery infrastructure for early phase oncology clinical trials. Currently, the portfolio (summarised in the panel below) contains 86 studies at varying stages of development, in a range of disease sites, in collaboration with a range of different partners.
Previous Partners
| AbbVie | Celegene Corporation | Novartis |
| Acerta Pharma | CellCentric Ltd | NuCana |
| ADC Therapeutics | Constellation Pharmaceuticals | Pfizer |
| Agalimmune Ltd | Forty Seven Inc | Pharmacyclics |
| Agios Pharmaceuticals | Genmab B.V. | Pronai Therapeutics Incorporated |
| ARRAY Biopharma Inc | Imago BioSciences, Inc | REDx Pharma Plc |
| Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Immunocore Ltd. | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals |
| AstraZeneca | Incyte Corporation | Replimune, Inc |
| Boehringer Ingelheim | Ludwig Cancer Research Ltd. | Sanofi Limited |
| Carrick Therapeutics | Merck | TESARO Inc |
| BaseGenomics | Celleron Therapeutics | 47inc |
| Bristol Myers Squibb | Medivir AB | Sierra Oncology Inc. |
Success Stories
In 2019, NuCana approached Oxford cancer researchers for clinical positioning input. They were supported from an initial 68 patient PK profiling study which was followed by combination studies and studies testing 2nd/3rd generation agents. In parallel mechanistic research was undertaken at the University that lead to the development of a companion diagnostic assay which was subsequently published and integrated into studies to help identify early signs of efficacy. Subsequently Nucana has gone on to launch an international registration phase 3 trial and is valued at IPO at $463M.
Immunocore approached Oxford cancer researchers in 2009 for advice on patient recruitment, regulatory development and trial design. They were advised on protocol development, regulatory approval and patient recruitment. We supported them through the MHRA special route that was implemented in response to the TeGenero scandal and delivered a phase -1 proof of concept package with built in early measures of efficacy, that lead to combination studies in multiple indications. At one stage the company was valued at $320M and work into their lead compounds mechanistic activity continues at Oxford.
Agalimmune were a small biotech company at an early stage of development of a rabbit poly-clonal antibody-based therapy. They approached Oxford cancer researchers who advised on the development of a synthetic mimic and then developed a trial protocol as an investigator led study. We were in the process of applying for grant funding to launch the study locally when they were bought out for $12M by BioLineRx who sponsored the study and subsequent clinical development.
Initiated as a spin out based on an Oxford-Stanford collaboration lead by Irv Wiessman, Oxford cancer researchers developed and delivered the haematological malignancy study that provided the first evidence of benefit for targeting CD47. This was a challenging study with significant toxicity liability that relied on supporting the co-design of a complementary pre-clinical package to enable regulatory approval. Subsequent developments have focused on blood cancers and they are in the process of being bought out by Gilead for $4.9B.
Celleron approached Oxford cancer researchers with an in-licenced HDAC inhibitor asset. Co-investment from our trials unit and local trust in a shared risk scheme was rewarded with significant ROI during the early stage development of CXD101 for advanced cancer. Preliminary efficiency and safety was demonstrated which was used to support >$20M international investment.