September 29, 2015
London, UK, Lausanne, Switzerland, 24 September 2015, MRC Technology and the University of Lausanne are collaborating to find new drug treatments for diffuse large B cell lymphoma, the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
MALT1 (Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1), an immunomodulatory enzyme, is required for the effective triggering of an immune response. However, dysregulation of MALT1 is also associated with some subsets of lymphoma, including diffuse large B cell lymphoma, suggesting that MALT1 could be a promising drug target for these types of cancer.
Professor Margot Thome-Miazza, Associate Professor, University of Lausanne said: “We have previously identified a novel way of regulating the catalytic activity of MALT1 via a protein modification called ubiquitination. We are now working with MRC Technology to harness this regulatory mechanism and discover small molecule inhibitors that specifically interfere with the ubiquitin-linked form of MALT1.”
Justin Bryans, Director, Drug Discovery, MRC Technology said: “It is encouraging that we can build on the work of the University of Lausanne and bring new treatments to patients. These drugs could potentially also treat other types of lymphoma associated with MALT1 over-activity, for example MALT lymphoma and Mantle Cell lymphoma.”
Céline Lafourcade, Licensing manager at Powering Academia-industry Collaborations and Technology Transfer (PACTT) explained: “MRC Technology with its unique capabilities constitutes an ideal partner to further develop this innovative technology emanating from academic research.”
MALT1 inhibitors may also have wider therapeutic applications owing to MALT1’s role in immune regulation, and could potentially be used to limit overactive immune reactions in autoimmune diseases.
Contacts
At PACTT
Céline Lafourcade
Licensing manager
E: celine.lafourcade@chuv.ch
T: +41.21.314.49.58
At MRC Technology
Liezel Tipper
PR and Communications Manager
E: liezel.tipper@tech.mrc.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)20 7391 2772
About MRC Technology
MRC Technology is an independent life science medical research charity committed to drastically improving positive patient outcomes everywhere. As a champion for human health, MRC Technology partners with academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and charity organisations to move promising medical research forward into viable and accessible patient treatments. Our people combine commercialisation and IP management skills with diagnostic and drug discovery expertise, specialising in small molecule and therapeutic antibodies. MRC Technology projects have led to the approved drugs Tysabri®, Actemra®, Entyvio® and Keytruda®, changing the lives of countless patients by harnessing the potential of science.
About the University of Lausanne
The University of Lausanne (UNIL) is composed of seven faculties, active in the field of Medicine, Life Sciences, Geosciences, Environment, Business, Humanities and Social Sciences. Approximately 14,000 students and 2,800 researchers, including 500 professors, study and work on its three campuses. The University of Lausanne comprises more than 180 teaching or research units that are working on projects of national and international significance. Interdisciplinarity (clinical science and fundamental sciences) within the Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM) is the key factor to open, fluid research, which has placed Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the University of Lausanne at the forefront of life sciences.
About PACTT
Founded in February 2000, PACTT (Powering Academia-industry Collaborations and Technology Transfer) is the joint technology transfer office of the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV). The primary mission is to transfer the researchers’ innovations to the economy for public benefit.
(source: MRCT)
