Discussion

Cancer Research UK is the world’s largest fundraising medical charity. The charity supports scientists working across a spectrum of basic research, translational science and clinical trials and includes a focus on drug discovery and development. Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development delivers drug development projects that are not being progressed due lack of access to expertise or resources. This presentation will include examples of collaborative development projects in the immune-oncology arena including; MOv18, an IgE-based, anti-folate receptor alpha antibody discovered at Kings College, London; IMA950, a multi-peptide therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of glioblastoma, discovered by Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH; and AST-VAC2, an embryonic stem cell-derived dendritic cell vaccine, owned by Asterias. An update on Cancer Research UK’s recently increased investment in biotherapeutic drug discovery will also be discussed including the rationale behind the recently established Cancer Research UK – MedImmune Alliance Laboratory.