Oxford, UK / Sichuan, China, 15 May 2020
Today marks the launch of the University of Oxford-Sichuan University Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, led by Prof. David Kerr (Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford) and Prof. Li Yang (Sichuan University).
Over the next 5 years, this new international collaboration seeks to develop an integrated cancer plan with a focus on gastrointestinal cancer, underpinned by high quality basic, translational and clinical cancer research.
The intention is to develop one team based across two sites, with an operating and governance system that will drive the exchange of ideas, which is crucial to academic development and alleviating the burden that cancer places on society across the world.
The Centre will seek to build a portfolio of multi-disciplinary teams drawing from both organizations. These teams and their projects will enable scientists and clinicians to learn from each other and apply their expertise for the benefit of cancer patients in both nations. The establishment of a bilateral researcher exchange program will drive the delivery of these.
Professor David Kerr, Co-Director of the University of Oxford-Sichuan University Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer and CMO of Celleron Therapeutics, commented,
“The idea behind personalised cancer medicine is both simple and powerful: delivering the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. Our aim is to radically alter the way cancer is managed, saving lives by focusing on the individual”
Professor Nick La Thangue, CEO of Celleron Therapeutics, commented,
“Cancer remains a devastating and clinically unmet disease. It is very pleasing that our leadership team can contribute to international partnerships between leading universities and hospitals aiming to improve treatment of the disease”.
NOTES:
About Celleron Therapeutics
Celleron Therapeutics is a biopharma advancing a clinical and pre-clinical pipeline of precision therapies for different cancer indications. The company is a spin-out from Oxford University and located on the Oxford Science Park, UK. Celleron Therapeutics has built a proprietary platform around epigenetic control and immune modulation, providing its drugs with a two-pronged attack on cancer. Celleron’s approach seeks to align the right drug with the right patient enabling a personalised approach to cancer therapy.
Celleron Therapeutics’ focus is on those cancers where there is still an unmet need for long-term disease control. It is hoped that not only will patients volunteering for our clinical trials benefit directly, but the results from these studies will ultimately allow the general use of more effective, safer medicines. Our goal is not only to treat cancer, but to improve quality of life during therapy by reduction of side effects.
Celleron has a global license partnership with Astra Zeneca and is also initiating new trials in China. The company secured investment in 2016 from a consortium of South Korean investors.
For more information see www.cellerontherapeutics.com
About University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is the oldest English-speaking university in the world, with teaching dating back to as early as 1096. Located in South East England, Oxford alumni includes more than 120 Olympic medallists, 26 Nobel Prize winners, and multiple world leaders, including 26 UK Prime Ministers. The research-intensive university is exceptionally strong in the medicine, ranking first in clinical, pre-clinical and health studies for nine years running according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
About Sichuan University West China Hospital
The Sichuan University’s West China (Huaxi) Hospital is the 2nd highest ranked hospital in China. It covers an area of 100 acres, with 4300 beds and over 10,000 employees. As China’s largest general medical faculty training institution, it provides support to 676 hospitals through the Internet video technology based West China Telemedicine Network Alliance.
West China Hospital is ranked first for three consecutive years on the Ranking List of China’s Hospitals with the Greatest Scientific and Technological Influence. It is also ranked second in top academic research ability for seven consecutive years on the Ranking List of China’s Best Hospitals.