Onyx Pharma links with Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center on research

US biotech firm Onyx Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ONXX) and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have announced a non-exclusive research alliance for pre-clinical and clinical research to continue to understand the role that novel experimental therapies, including Onyx' carfilzomib and oprozomib, can play in the potential treatment of multiple myeloma and lymphoma. The term of the agreement extends for two years. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

"MD Anderson Cancer Center is a recognized world leader in the development of new therapies for the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies," said Christopher Kirk, vice president, research, at Onyx Pharmaceuticals. "This agreement underscores the importance of academic and industry alliances as one of the most important types of public-private collaborations. Onyx is committed to exploring ways in which these types of alliances can advance the development of potential lifesaving drugs and new treatments for patients," he added.

The purpose of the research alliance is to further contribute to the biological understanding and clinical profile of carfilzomib and oprozomib in myeloma and lymphoma. The potential for combining proteasome inhibitors with other novel therapies currently in earlier stages of development will be an important component of this collaboration.