CRT grants rights for targeting technology to Aura

Cancer Research Technology (CRT), Cancer Research UK's commercialization and development arm, has granted Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA-based Aura Biosciences a worldwide licence to use its cancer-targeting peptides in delivering cancer treatments directly to the tumour.

These peptides bind to a protein on the surface of the cell called integrin alpha v beta 6, a protein complex that is found at high levels on many tumor cells but is absent in most normal tissues. By seeking out this protein and binding to it, the peptides are able to deliver cancer treatments directly to the site with increased precision and reduced side effects.

One of the cancers this could have particular benefit in targeting is pancreatic cancer as these tumours express high levels of integrin alpha/beta 6. Pancreatic cancer is currently very difficult to treat with only around 2% to 3% of patients surviving the disease for five years or more. Recent preclinical studies have also shown that these peptides may improve imaging in pancreatic cancer by binding to the alpha/beta 6.