Professors David Kerr and Nick La Thangue offer oncology consulting and biomarker R&D activities spun out from the University of Oxford
OXFORD, U.K. and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – January 18, 2012 – Continuing its commitment to advancing personalized medicine by offering world-leading experts and cutting-edge tools, Quintiles today announced that it has invested in a new company formed to provide oncology consulting services and new cancer biomarkers, the key to scientific selection of the right drug for the right patient.
The company, Oxford Cancer Biomarkers, will develop biomarkers using CancerNav™, a proprietary DNA- and protein-based assay technology platform invented by Nick La Thangue, Ph.D., Chair of Cancer Biology at Oxford University. David Kerr, CBE, DSc, M.D, FMedSci., Professor of Cancer Medicine at the University of Oxford and a world-renowned expert in cancer clinical research and policy development, will serve as the new company’s Chief Medical Officer.
Quintiles is the largest shareholder in Oxford Cancer Biomarkers; other major shareholders are the University of Oxford, and Professors La Thangue and Kerr.
“Biomarkers hold great promise to improve trial success rates by identifying patient sub-groups most likely to respond to treatment, increasing the probability of trial success and improving patient safety,” said Ben Cons, Vice President, Quintiles Corporate Development. “Quintiles’ investment in Oxford Cancer Biomarkers is further evidence of our commitment to provide biopharma and healthcare service providers with the tools, expertise and services needed to increase R&D productivity and speed, and better the lives of patients.”
Professor Kerr, who recently finished his term as President of the European Society of Medical Oncology, said: “We see this as a fantastic opportunity to pursue our vision of personalized medicine in which we aim to identify those cancer patients who are likely to benefit most from treatment. Our association with Quintiles is greatly welcomed and widens our access to some of the best cancer drug development teams on the planet.”
Professor La Thangue said: “Today’s announcement provides early and strong endorsement of our proprietary biomarker platform, CancerNav™, which can rapidly generate predictive biomarkers for cancer drugs. Quintiles is the ideal partner to leverage our clinical and biomarker expertise.”
Oxford Cancer Biomarkers, with offices in Oxford and Reading, U.K., will have a strategic relationship with Quintiles Consulting and Quintiles Global Laboratories, which have the capabilities and expertise to operationalize the consulting and biomarker R&D innovations from Oxford Cancer Biomarkers for the benefit of biopharma companies globally.
About Quintiles
Quintiles is the only fully integrated biopharmaceutical services company offering clinical, commercial, consulting and capital solutions worldwide. The Quintiles network of more than 20,000 engaged professionals in 60 countries works with an unwavering commitment to patients, safety and ethics. Quintiles helps biopharmaceutical companies navigate risk and seize opportunities in an environment where change is constant. For more information, please visit www.quintiles.com.
About Oxford Cancer Biomarkers
Oxford Cancer Biomarkers translates groundbreaking scientific discovery into predictive biomarker diagnostic products that allow medicines to be personalized for the benefit of the cancer patient. Its consultancy arm offers expertise in the development, placement, conduct and analysis of early phase oncology clinical trials. It is a spin-out of the University of Oxford and has strong links with the Oxford Institute of Cancer Medicine. For more information, please visit www.oxfordbio.com.
Contacts
Charlotte Taylor, Media Relations
Office: +44 1344 708386
Nick La Thangue, Oxford Cancer Biomarkers
Office: +44 1865 784743
Greg Connors, Investor Relations
Office: +1 919 998 2000
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