Eurostars awards Quay Pharma funding for oncology project

Pharmaceutical outsourcing specialist Quay Pharma has been working on a new therapy for solid tumours as part of the EU-funded Eurostars scheme.

Hercules B.V. in the Netherlands is currently developing a novel treatment based on modulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which is involved in cellular processes crucial to cancer development and metastasis. 

As part of the development process, two compounds will be taken through pre-clinical trials, and then be developed further for First In Man studies.

Eurostars supports international innovative projects led by SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) research and development companies throughout Europe. It brings together organisations with varying expertise from different countries to combine and share their knowledge and experience in the successful development of products, working beyond national borders.

The company will work on determining the physiochemical properties of the two compounds and their formulation for in vivo administration (ip and oral gavage). A key focus will be on Quay’s expertise in formulation to achieve good drug bio-availability for both molecules during the pre-clinical phase.

In addition to Hercules and Quay, a Finnish partner has been selected for the development of in vivo efficacy models, a French partner for metabolic profiling and efficacy models and a Danish partner for preclinical safety studies and in vivo efficacy. Quay’s contribution is fundamental to enabling these studies to be carried out.

Over 100 companies were initially considered before the top 30 underwent in-depth screening with only ten finally selected to receive funding for projects. It is anticipated that the treatment will be ready to progress to clinical trials in the next two to three years.