Asan Medical Centre and Chemizon forge cancer drug partnership

Published: 26-Jan-2010

Korea-based Asan Medical Centre and Chemizon, the drug discovery division of Optomagic, have agreed a multi-year research project to discover and develop novel, small molecule cancer drugs.


Korea-based Asan Medical Centre and Chemizon, the drug discovery division of Optomagic, have agreed a multi-year research project to discover and develop novel, small molecule cancer drugs.

As part of this collaboration, Chemizon will use its discovery platform, which includes lead identification, medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, ADME/DMPK and discovery biology, while Asan Medical Centre will conduct animal pharmacology studies and translational medicine research, with the goal of creating novel small molecule candidates that target cancer. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"As the cost of developing breakthrough therapeutics continues to escalate, the future lies in innovative partnerships," said Anthony Piscopio, chief executive of Chemizon.

"Asan has assembled a world class translational medicine team and we are excited by the abundant synergies that will be established through this collaboration."

Asan Medical Centre is the parent of seven hospitals, which are part of the Asan Foundation established in 1977. It is the largest hospital in Korea. In addition, the Centre has established the Asan Institute for Life Sciences and Clinical Research Centre that is involved in translational medicine research, clinical studies for cancer treatment, and in developing new disease treatments.

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