Bugworks Research and Cytecare Cancer Hospitals partner to accelerate development of immuno-oncology therapies

Bugworks Research and Cytecare Cancer Hospitals yesterday announced collaboration with Cytecare to accelerate the development of immuno-oncology therapies. Bugworks’ drug discovery engine, coupled with Cytecare’s clinical outcomes, will offer differentiated solutions to patients all over the world, according to a statement from Bugworks.

Commenting on the significance of this strategic collaboration, Suresh Ramu, co-Founder and CEO, Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, said in the statement, “We are excited to partner with Bugworks Research, in this inspiring endeavor to discover novel treatments for different types of cancers. In 2016, we started with the vision of building the country’s best institution for cancer care, supported by India-specific research data………”

Bugworks’ current research in immuno-oncology centres around modulating the tumour microenvironment that includes adenosine antagonism – an area of research with applications across many solid tumours. The drug candidates from this research will undergo translational testing on patient-derived tumours in the ex-vivo laboratories at Cytecare, prior to progressing to the first-in-human clinical studies, said the statement.

Dr V Balasubramanian, Co-Founder and COO, Bugworks, noted, “We are discovering highly differentiated, novel small molecule immuno-therapeutic agents that target the immuno-suppressive and tumour-promoting microenvironment. The ex-vivo laboratories at Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, as part of our collaboration, will aid the translation of our research to high percentage successful clinical outcomes.”