AstraZeneca acquires the CDK9 inhibitor project of probiodrug company

Source: medical geography on January 10, 2014, probiodrug, a German biopharmaceutical company, has transferred its experimental cyclin dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor project to AstraZeneca The deal also includes the transfer of intellectual property rights to AstraZeneca over major compounds and related compounds Probiodrug claims that CDK9 is related to gene transcription regulation in cell proliferation and inflammation, and is a potential target for treating cancer and inflammatory diseases "AstraZeneca is an excellent partner in undertaking the potential project of CDK9 inhibitor." Hendrik liebers, CEO of probiodrug, said, "this deal is also consistent with our company's strategy of focusing resources on Alzheimer's disease." Probiodrug also pointed out that cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) play a key role in cell cycle progression and RNA transcription, and many genetic events related to cancer can lead to overexcitation of CDKs in cell cycle, while CDKs inhibitors can cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis "AstraZeneca is particularly interested in the development of oncology targeted therapies (such as CDK9)," said Susan Galbraith, vice president of AstraZeneca and head of oncology IMED "Even at the early stage, we still believe that probiodrug's CDK9 inhibitor project has great potential and look forward to further development of the project." Upbiotech management acted as an advisor to probiodrug in the transaction, and the detailed financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.