Cancer Research UK increases investment in drug development

Cancer Research UK is to increase investment by nearly 50 per cent over the next five years in its Drug Development Office, which is also changing its name to the Centre for Drug Development (CDD) from today (Monday).

Backed by industry collaboration, the additional funding will help support drugs, through preclinical, and Phase I and Phase II clinical development. This will include an increased emphasis on rigorous preclinical evaluation of new potential drugs as well as a focus on the identification and development of stratification markers and new treatment combinations. CDD will also continue to develop a range of treatment approaches, with an increasing proportion of immunotherapies.

Nigel Blackburn, director of Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development, said: “The Centre for Drug Development (CDD) is a world leader in helping to turn today’s science into tomorrow’s medicine. As part of the world’s largest charity dedicated to cancer research, we have the facilities and expertise to bring new and better therapies to patients through clinical trials. It’s amazing to think that many of these drugs would not otherwise have been developed if it weren’t for the millions of people who donate to Cancer Research UK each year.”

ENDS

For media enquiries contact the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 3469 8309 or, out of hours, on 07050 264 059.