Improving cancer immunotherapies: Developing a novel antibody to CXCR2

"DJS Antibodies has a novel technology which allows us to discover antibody therapeutics against previously intractable disease targets. We are utilising this technology to develop a new drug to treat colorectal and pancreatic cancers. In particular, our antibody will act alongside recently developed therapies which activate patients' immune systems to fight tumours. With over 16,000 deaths each year in the UK from colorectal cancer alone, there is a real need for the discovery of novel therapies, and this project directly addresses that need.

The project details the work required to attain pre-clinical proof-of-concept, and show that an antibody against our target can reduce tumour growth in animal cancer models. To do this we must develop in parallel both our lead antibody, and a surrogate antibody which interacts specifically with model species' immune system.

Over 24 months we will develop and test these antibodies directly contributing to the overall development of our lead drug. The output of the work will be a best-in-class therapeutic candidate and Innovate UK's support will expedite its progression toward the clinic and to having a positive impact on patients' lives."