Tiziana reveals possible new anti-cancer molecule

The AIM-listed biotechnology company, which focuses on targeted drugs to treat diseases in onvology and immunology, made the announcement on Friday.

It said its partnership with the university, centred around pioneering the development of Bcl-3 inhibitors as potential drugs to treat cancer, led to the identification of CB1 as a first-in-class lead clinical candidate for a new cancer-fighting drug.

Bcl-3 has been identified as a protein essential for the metastatis of breast cancer. Tiziana said CB1 had potent anti-metastatic activity, and an impressive in vivo efficacy and safety profile.

"The company intends to file an Investigational New Drug application on CB1 in 2016, and expects to move this drug candidate into clinical trials before the end of the year", the company's board said in a statement.

Tiziana Life Sciences also announced the expansion of its partnership with Cardiff University, to include an additional research programme focused on the eradication of breast cancer stem cells through the inhibition of a protein known as c-FLIP.

The company described c-FLIP as a protein that acts inside a cell, blocking a death signal from neighbouring cells and therefore allowing possibly cancerous cells to remain alive.

"Our partnership in the development of this unique molecule CB1 is an excellent example of how biotechnology companies, working collaboratively with cutting-edge prestigious research institutions such as Cardiff University, can create life-changing drugs and further promote research into difficult-to-treat diseases", said Tiziana chief operating officer Jim Tripp.