Read article New Agents Committee
The New Agents Committee (NAC) selects new anti-cancer treatments for early clinical trials.
NAC members are expert in early clinical trials of novel agents and other aspects of drug development. Proposals and meetings are confidential. NAC-approved novel agents in development include: molecularly targeted small molecules, cytotoxic agents, antibodies, vaccines, viral gene therapy, immunotherapy, cell therapy, radioimmunotherapy, diagnostics and imaging agents.
The NAC is interested in proposals for scientifically-driven trials of novel unregistered anti-cancer agents, and reviews and funds:
- Exploratory/preclinical development prior to a clinical trial
- Phase I trials, including First-in-Man
- Combinations trials of unregistered and registered agents
- Early Phase II hypothesis-testing trials
Trials take place in UK academic clinical centres. NAC is also responsible for the review, funding and management of awards from the Stand Up To Cancer UK Fund. Applicants should follow the usual submission process for NAC.
Proposals are subject to external, international peer review and are judged on the basis of:
- Scientific rationale and importance
- Uniqueness/novelty of the target or agent
- Significance of the proposed trial and its endpoints
- Clinical need
- Quality of data in relevant models
The New Agents Committee currently offers the following schemes:
DDO Project Proposals
These projects are funded and managed from exploratory through to clinical development by Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office (DDO). The DDO also acts as trial sponsor.
New Agents Committee Trial Grants
There is no funding for exploratory or preclinical development under this scheme.
NAC endorsement
Trials funded by third parties can be given NAC review and endorsement.
Terms of reference
Other details
See below for information on how to contact this Committee's secretariat and on the available funding schemes.
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