TGen Drug Development (TD2) and Critical Outcome Technologies Inc (COTI) will work together to obtain approval of clinical trials for a promising new anti-cancer drug called COTI-2.

This easily synthesized small molecule compound was discovered and developed by COTI of London, Ontario, Canada. This working relationship resulted through the expanded relationship between Canadian companies and the Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

TD2, TGen's Scottsdale-based drug-development subsidiary, will work with COTI to complete the Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling research necessary to gain US Food and Drug Administration approval of clinical trials, perhaps by the end of 2010, and eventually move the drug to market where it can benefit patients.

COTI-2 works by inducing a brisk apoptotic response - the cancer cell kills itself - by targeting a pro-survival enzyme family called AKT. Initial tests have shown that COTI-2 can limit the growth of tumours in several types of cancer without the toxic side effects seen in other AKT inhibitors. It also may be even more effective when used in combination with other anti-cancer drugs.

"While traditional cancer chemotherapy is frequently limited by significant toxic side effects, it is drug candidates like COTI-2 that represent a new generation of less toxic drugs with good anti-tumour activity," said Dr Wayne Danter, COTI's president and chief scientific officer.

COTI-2's development will be guided by Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, TGen's physician-in-chief and senior investigator of TGen's Clinical Translational Drug Division. Dr Von Hoff has led the development of numerous successful cancer therapies.

"I am delighted about our participation in the continued development of this interesting new agent with what appears to be a highly desirable mechanism of action," said Dr Von Hoff. "I am very hopeful that COTI-2 will have a therapeutic impact in patients with tumors that are non-responsive to conventional therapeutic agents across a number of cancer indications."

Researchers hope to demonstrate that this oral pill will be especially beneficial for patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer, but may also help treat those with colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Collectively, these treatments could represent a worldwide market of more than US$ 20 billion by 2018.

"We are ready to move this exciting new agent to patients quickly and to identify patients most likely to benefit from COTI-2," said Dr Steve Gately, TD2's president and chief scientific officer.

"We are delighted to have the expertise of such a well respected individual as Dr Von Hoff," said Michael Cloutier, chief executive officer of COTI. "We believe that affiliating the development of COTI-2 with the scientific expertise of TD2 and Dr. Von Hoff will greatly assist in our commercial efforts. We value the partnership we have with TD2, which allows us to proceed with this program in a step wise fashion as resources become available."

The relationship between TD2 and COTI was initiated at BioPartnering North America 2008 thanks to the Canadian Consulate-Phoenix, which sponsored TGen's participation at the conference. The Canadian Consulate-Phoenix plays a key role in making strategic introductions across Arizona's universities, research facilities, local communities and commercial companies.

"I am thrilled to see this new drug development collaboration between TD2 and an emerging Canadian biotechnology company. The Canada Arizona Business Council hopes that many more will be done," said R Glenn Williamson, chief executive officer and Founder of the Canada Arizona Business Council.

TGen Drug Development (TD2), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results.

COTI a is drug discovery and preclinical drug development company formed around a unique computational platform technology called CHEMSAS, which allows for the accelerated identification, profiling and optimization of targeted small molecules potentially effective in the treatment of human diseases for which current therapy is either lacking or ineffective.