Cancer Research Technology (CRT) has signed an agreement with Bayer Schering Pharma to evaluate new leptin antagonist peptides as potential experimental treatments.
The peptides will be evaluated as potential experimental treatments initially in the area of gynaecological diseases, including cancer.
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.
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 gynaecological diseases.
The leptin antagonists were first developed at the Boston Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI) in the US by Dr Paul Leavis and Dr Ruben Gonzalez, who have shown that the peptides are effective in blocking the effects of leptin in several diseases.
Cancer Research Technology - through its US subsidiary CRT Inc - had agreed with BBRI to market and commercialise the technology and also provided support to BBRI for further development of the inhibitors.
This agreement is said to represent the successful outcome of these activities.
