Scancell skips higher on Swedish research collaboration

Immuno-oncology specialist Scancell has impressed investors with a new research partnership with Sweden's Karolinska Institutet into the role of citrullinated proteins in the treatment of cancer.

Both parties have uncovered important roles that citrullinated proteins can play in helping the body fight off diseases, Scancell in cancer and Karolinska in rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.

Citrullination is a process by which proteins are remodelled with the amino acid citrulline, enhancing their effect on the body’s immune system.

Scancell's joint chief executive, Lindy Durrant, also professor of cancer immunotherapy at Nottingham University, said the collaboration aimed to enhance both sides' understanding of citrullination's role in fighting disease that will serve to advance the company's technology.

"Our research has previously shown that citrullinated proteins are involved in the control of tumour growth, which led us to the development of the Moditope platform," she said.

Suppressing a tumour's ability to 'hide' from the body's immune system, Moditope uses citrullinated peptides to super-charge white blood cells so that they destroy tumour cells.

Durrant added: "We believe that this strategic collaboration with Karolinska will enhance our joint understanding of the role that citrullination plays in both cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, and will help us develop the Moditope® platform to its full potential."

Just two days after its raised £3.4m at 17p to speed the development of its lead 'ImmunoBody' product, SCIB1, shares in Scancell were up 8% to 19p by 0900 GMT on Friday.