Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for improving the lives of people with cancer and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced a non-exclusive research alliance for pre-clinical and clinical research to continue to understand the role that novel experimental therapies, including Onyx’s carfilzomib and oprozomib, can play in the potential treatment of multiple myeloma and lymphoma. The term of the agreement extends for two years. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.
 
“MD Anderson Cancer Center is a recognized world leader in the development of new therapies for the treatment of patients with haematologic malignancies,” said Christopher J. Kirk, Ph.D., vice president research at Onyx Pharmaceuticals. “This agreement underscores the importance of academic and industry alliances as one of the most important types of public-private collaborations. Onyx is committed to exploring ways in which these types of alliances can advance the development of potential lifesaving drugs and new treatments for patients.”
 
“MD Anderson and Onyx have a shared vision of developing innovative therapies for improving the lives of people with cancer,” said Dr. Robert Orlowski, Professor, Lymphoma/Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “This alliance is designed to accelerate the discovery and translation of new knowledge about cancer from the laboratory, to the clinic, and, ultimately, to the patients.”
 
The purpose of the research alliance is to further contribute to the biological understanding and clinical profile of carfilzomib and oprozomib in myeloma and lymphoma. The potential for combining proteasome inhibitors with other novel therapies currently in earlier stages of development will be an important component of this collaboration.
 
The research alliance will be overseen by a joint steering committee comprised of representatives from Onyx and MD Anderson. The steering committee will be tasked with managing the current collaboration and identifying future potential collaborations. MD Anderson will conduct all studies on behalf of the collaboration.
 
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. MD Anderson is one of only 41 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.