Quintiles becomes major shareholder in Oxford Cancer Biomarkers
Firm will develop cancer biomarkers and provide oncology consultancy
Quintiles, a US-headquartered biopharmaceuticals company is investing in Oxford Cancer Biomarkers, a company formed to provide oncology consulting services and new cancer biomarkers.
The new firm, which has offices in Oxford and Reading, will develop biomarkers using CancerNav, a proprietary DNA- and protein-based assay technology platform invented by Nick La Thangue, chairman of Cancer Biology at Oxford University. David Kerr, Professor of Cancer Medicine at the University of Oxford and an expert in cancer clinical research and policy development, has been appointed as the Oxford Cancer Biomarkers’ chief medical officer.
Quintiles is the largest shareholder in the new firm, alongside Oxford University, as well as La Thangue and Kerr.
‘Biomarkers hold great promise to improve trial success rates by identifying patient sub-groups most likely to respond to treatment, increasing the probability of trial success and improving patient safety,’ said Ben Cons, vice president of Quintiles Corporate Development.
‘Quintiles’ investment in Oxford Cancer Biomarkers is further evidence of our commitment to provide biopharma and healthcare service providers with the tools, expertise and services needed to increase r&d productivity and speed, and better the lives of patients,’ he added.
