Contact: Kirsten Hashemi

617-658-7711

Hashemi@bbri.org

CRT and Bayer Schering Pharma to Investigate Therapeutic Potential of Leptin Inhibitors developed at Boston Biomedical Research Institute

Watertown, MA. - Boston Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI) has recently signed an agreement with Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT) and Bayer Schering Pharma AG to evaluate new leptin antagonist peptides as potential experimental treatments for diseases initially in the area of gynecological diseases, including cancer.

The leptin antagonists were first developed at the Boston Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI) in the USA by Drs. Paul Leavis and Ruben Gonzalez who have shown that the peptides are effective in blocking the effects of leptin in several diseases.

Leptin triggers the growth of different types of cells including endometrial cells and has been linked to angiogenesis - new blood vessel growth. It is hoped that blocking leptin's action will offer a potential new treatment for a range of cancers and gynecological diseases. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer Schering Pharma will evaluate the ability of the peptides to switch off the activity of a protein called leptin in a first evaluation phase. After the evaluation period both parties have the option to enter into a license agreement for the technology, the major terms of which have been agreed.

Larry Steranka, managing director of CRT Inc, said: "We're delighted to have worked alongside BBRI to partner its technology with the right commercial partner to take forward the development of potential new treatments."

"We're looking forward to using our expertise and access to the international community to connect other US institutions with industrial partners and assist in the commercialization of their technologies."

Cancer Research Technology - through its US subsidiary, CRT Inc - had agreed with BBRI to market and commercialize the technology and also provided support to BBRI for further development of the inhibitors and this agreement represents the successful outcome of these activities.

Charles Emerson Jr, Director of Boston Biomedical Research Institute , said:  "CRT is an excellent partner to work with and has made a real impact in helping commercialize this project. We look forward to seeing progress on developing a therapy using Boston Biomedical Research Institute's discovery of leptin inhibitors."

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About Boston Biomedical Research Institute

Boston Biomedical Research Institute is an independent non-profit institute dedicated to basic biomedical research to promote the understanding, treatment and prevention of specific diseases, and to training research scientists.

Investigators focus on the structure and function of proteins that control cellular communication, muscle contractility, cell movement, growth and differentiation and on the underlying causes of human diseases from the study of disease models in order to drive development of novel therapeutics.

Boston Biomedical Research Institute is conducting today's research for tomorrow's health.

Please visit us on the web at www.bbri.org

About Cancer Research Technology

Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT) is a specialist commercialisation and development company, which aims to develop new discoveries in cancer research for the benefit of cancer patients. CRT works closely with leading international cancer scientists and their institutes to protect intellectual property arising from their research and to establish links with commercial partners. CRT facilitates the discovery, development and marketing of new cancer therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics and enabling technologies. CRT is wholly owned by Cancer Research UK, the largest independent funder of cancer research in the world.

For more information visit the website www.cancertechnology.com

About CRT Inc.

CRT Inc, the US subsidiary of Cancer Research Technology Ltd, was established in 2006 and is located in Cambridge MA. CRT Inc works with CRT Ltd to license technologies arising from Cancer Research UK funding and also provides oncology-focused technology transfer and development support to leading US not-for-profit research institutions.

Dr Larry Steranka, CRT Inc's Managing Director, was previously the Executive Director of Brandeis University's Office of Technology Licensing, and immediately before that, an Associate Director for Licensing at Harvard University's Office of Technology and Trademark Licensing. Dr Steranka has also held senior positions within major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.