The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and MannKind Corporation, (MNKD), jointly announced the execution of a collaborative research arrangement funded through LLS's Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP).

TAP is an innovative programme intended to advance therapies with high prospects of providing near-term benefit to patients suffering from blood cancers. The TAP funding will support MannKind's efforts to develop a novel and highly selective first-in-class targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of T-cell leukaemia and lymphoma. This early development work, if successful, will lead to the initiation of IND-enabling studies.

"The sponsorship of LLS will help MannKind to advance its development of a potential new blood cancer treatment," said Alfred Mann, chairman and CEO of MannKind. "I am personally committed to taking innovative approaches to develop effective treatments for unmet medical needs. It is exciting and gratifying to be able to collaborate with a high-caliber organization that recognizes the importance of our research".

Louis J DeGennaro, PhD, chief scientific officer of LLS, added "Our partnership with MannKind is another example of LLS's commitment to support a select group of highly motivated, well positioned commercial organizations poised to bring effective therapies to blood cancer patients".

MannKind Corporation focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products for diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Its pipeline includes Technosphere Insulin, which is currently in phase III clinical trials, and MKC253, which is currently in phase I a clinical trial. Both of these investigational products are being evaluated for their safety and efficacy in the treatment of diabetes.