A new research alliance between the lab of Dr. Stephen Fesik (pictured right), Vanderbilt University professor of Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Chemistry, and Orrin H. Ingram II Chair in Cancer Research, and Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies, was announced today. The goal of this collaboration is to research and develop Ras inhibitors that can be used to treat cancer. Below is the full news release:
Ingelheim, Germany, January 14, 2015, Boehringer Ingelheim announced today that it has established a research alliance with Vanderbilt University and the cancer drug discovery laboratory of Professor Stephen W. Fesik, Ph.D., the Orrin H. Ingram, II Chair in Cancer Research and Professor of Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Chemistry. The aim of the new collaboration is the research and development of small molecule inhibitors of oncogenic Ras for the treatment of cancer. Ras is the most frequently mutated oncogene known in cancer with K-Ras being the most commonly mutated form occurring in pancreas, colon, biliary tract and lung adenocarcinomas. Mutations in the Ras family (comprised of H-Ras, N-Ras and K-Ras) are very common, and found in 20 to 30 percent of all human tumors. Ras has been a particularly difficult protein to target since its discovery in human cancers more than 30 years ago.
Under the terms of the agreement, the research capabilities of Vanderbilt University and Boehringer Ingelheim will be brought together in a multi-year research programme focusing on the development of small molecule inhibitors of Ras. Further details of the agreement are not disclosed.
“We are looking forward to working together with Professor Fesik and his team at Vanderbilt University to discover new medicines for the Ras protein family,” said Michel Pairet, M.D., Senior Corporate Vice President of Research and Non-clinical Development at Boehringer Ingelheim. “We believe that our combined strengths and philosophies in drug discovery will go a long way in addressing what has up to now been a very difficult drug target.”
“Dr. Fesik is a pioneer in the discovery of small molecules that bind to and inhibit challenging drug target proteins. The combination of his lab’s novel techniques and the resources and expertise of Boehringer Ingelheim will result in a powerful drug discovery team,” said Lawrence J. Marnett, Ph.D., the Mary Geddes Stahlman Professor of Cancer Research, University Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry, and newly appointed associate vice chancellor for Research for the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
About Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is composed of Vanderbilt University Hospital, Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital, The Vanderbilt Clinic and Medical Group, and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. VUMC has built a strong reputation as a leader in medical education, research and patient care throughout the Southeast and the nation over the course of its 140-year history. For more information about Vanderbilt University Medical Center, seewww.mc.vanderbilt.edu
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim operates globally with 142 affiliates and a total of more than 47,400 employees. The focus of the family-owned company, founded in 1885, is researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing new medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine. In 2013, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 14.1 billion euros. R&D expenditure corresponds to 19.5% of its net sales.
For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com