DUBLIN, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

• Exclusive worldwide licence deal adding to Carrick's rapid pipeline expansion
• Preparations for pivotal studies underway
• Dr. George Golumbeski appointed as Chairman of the Board

Carrick Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the innovative research and development of transformative oncology medicines, has today announced that it has licensed exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise BTG945, now CT900, an investigational targeted ovarian cancer drug, from the global specialist healthcare company BTG plc ("BTG", LSE: BTG).

CT900 is a targeted therapy that combines targeting folate receptor α (FRα) and inhibiting thymidylate synthase. The small molecule compound selectively enters cancer cells that over express folate receptor α (FRα) versus normal tissues and inhibits thymidylate synthase, leading to cell death. It was discovered by The Institute of Cancer Research, London, who led its earlier development with support from Cancer Research UK and BTG.

In a phase I study^[1] led by The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting 2017, seven of ten women with advanced ovarian cancer who had the particular molecular marker for the drug responded to treatment.

There are approximately 240,000 new ovarian cancer patients per year worldwide^[2] with 70% of patients presenting with advanced disease^[3]. The 5-year survival is around 40%^[4] and patients who become resistant to platinum-based first-line therapy have the poorest prognosis with treatment limited to single-agent salvage chemotherapy. Response rates to current second-line therapies are less than 10%.^[5]

Under the terms of the agreement with BTG, Carrick has gained exclusive worldwide development and commercialisation rights to CT900 and has already commenced preparations for pivotal studies. A clinical development programme in other cancers will also be undertaken. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Commenting on CT900, Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive and President of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: "The efficacy results that we have seen so far for CT900 are very promising. The beauty of this drug is that it is targeted to the tumour cells, meaning there are fewer side-effects and making it a very promising treatment for women with ovarian cancer.

"I am very excited that this drug is progressing to the next stage of clinical trials and believe it has the potential to be a highly effective treatment for women with ovarian cancer, even when their tumours have become resistant to existing drugs." 

Elaine Sullivan, Chief Executive of Carrick Therapeutics, said: "The addition of CT900 to our pipeline further strengthens Carrick's multi-asset portfolio targeting critical pathways that drive aggressive and resistant cancers. Since our inception two years ago, Carrick has made excellent progress and is now developing two clinical assets and a pre-clinical pipeline that have the potential to meet significant unmet needs for patients."

She added: "CT900, which is a targeted therapy, has already demonstrated clinical activity in platinum-resistant/refractory high-grade serous ovarian cancer. In addition to ovarian cancer, we will be investigating CT900 in other difficult to treat cancers that express high levels of folate receptor alpha. These patients can be selected via a companion diagnostic based on folate receptor alpha expression. We believe CT900 shows real potential to make a meaningful difference to patients' lives."

Carrick also announced today that Dr. George Golumbeski has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors. He currently serves as President of GRAIL, a company focused on early detection of cancer. Prior to GRAIL he served as Executive Vice President of Business Development at Celgene, where he was responsible for all aspects of business development, including identifying and evaluating opportunities, strategic collaborations and licensing deals.

Commenting on the Board appointment, Elaine Sullivan said: "We are delighted to welcome George to the Board and look forward to utilising his experience and advice at Carrick as we rapidly develop and build out our high-quality pipeline."

Dr. Golumbeski said: "I am very excited to work with the leadership team and Board of Directors at Carrick Therapeutics. Carrick is focused on oncology therapeutics and currently has two significant programmes in clinical studies. CT7001 is an oral CDK7 inhibitor that is progressing through phase 1 studies. CT900 has shown clinical proof-of-concept in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. I look forward to joining efforts with the Carrick team to advance these programmes towards pivotal studies and, ultimately, to patients."

Notes for editors 
Carrick Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the innovative research and development of transformative oncology medicines. Carrick's aim is to become a leading global oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company. The name Carrick means 'rock' in Gaelic to emphasise the strong foundation of like-minded scientists, collaborators and investors, and the vision to build a durable world-class company. Carrick has an ambitious patient-focused vision to serve cancer patients around the world by the introduction of ground-breaking cancer therapies that will transform the way cancer is treated.

The company was established with an initial funding round that saw it raise $95 million and continues to build its portfolio through partnering. Significantly, whilst other companies bank on a single molecule or biological mechanism, Carrick will build a portfolio that targets multiple mechanisms that drive cancer. In close partnership with a network of clinicians and scientists in internationally-leading research institutes and hospitals the business will drive its portfolio of ground-breaking cancer therapies from laboratories to the clinic.

The funding of Carrick Therapeutics was co-led by ARCH Venture Partners and Woodford Investment Management, with participation from Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Evotec, GV (formerly Google Ventures), and Lightstone Ventures.

Other Carrick Therapeutics assets in clinical development 
Carrick Therapeutics is also developing CT7001, a first in class, oral CDK7 inhibitor with potential in a range of cancer indications. Carrick rapidly developed CT7001 from a candidate drug to first-time-in-man within 2 years. CDK7 inhibition has emerged as a promising strategy in a range of cancer indications including acquired treatment resistant cancer. CT7001 is being investigated both as a monotherapy as well as a combination treatment with established therapies.

For more information please visit http://www.carricktherapeutics.com/ 

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world's most influential cancer research organisations. 

Scientists and clinicians at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) are working every day to make a real impact on cancer patients' lives. Through its unique partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and 'bench-to-bedside' approach, the ICR is able to create and deliver results in a way that other institutions cannot. Together the two organisations are rated in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment globally.

The ICR is well known for establishing productive partnerships with industry to commercialise its discoveries as the fastest way of taking new drugs and technologies to patients, ploughing income earned back into its research so further patients can benefit.

The ICR is the most successful academic institution in the world at discovering new cancer drugs. Prostate cancer drug abiraterone - discovered at the ICR and developed with commercial partners, including BTG, along with hospital partner The Royal Marsden - has treated hundreds of thousands of men worldwide. It generates around $2.5bn in sales per year, contributing to the ICR's ranking as the most successful higher education institution in the UK for earning invention income from its research.

A college of the University of London, the ICR is the UK's top-ranked academic institution for research quality, and provides postgraduate higher education of international distinction. It has charitable status and relies on support from partner organisations, charities and the general public.

The ICR's mission is to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. For more information visit http://www.icr.ac.uk

References: 
^[1] Banerji et al Journal of Clinical Oncology 35, no. 15 suppl (May 20 2017) 2503-2503
^[2] International Agency for Research on Cancer Global Cancer Observatory https://gco.iarc.fr/ 
^[3] Union for International Cancer Control, 2014 Review of Cancer Medicines on the WHO List of Essential Medicines
^[4] Siegel R, Naishadham D, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2013. CA Cancer J Clin 2013; 63:11-30
^[5] Coleman RL Monk BJ, Sood AK, Herzog TJ. Latest research and clinical treatment of advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2013 April; 1(4): 211-224

SOURCE Carrick Therapeutics