beyond omomyc

Why is Phylogica advancing studies in relation to a peptide-Omomyc biologic which is non-proprietary? The answer undoubtedly lies in the fact that Omomyc is the current gold standard for targeting the MYC transcription factor. Indeed, Dr Laura Soucek argues the case in an article in the July 2015 edition of Horizon 2020. Soucek notes that many groups are trying to create their own Myc inhibitor but to date Omomyc has proven to be the most efficient.

But, if Omomyc was the answer why would Cancer Research UK be offering up to £20m for an 'innovative approach to target the cancer super-controller MYC'?

Soucek is the principal investigator for the project Pushing Myc inhibition towards the Clinic. The project is backed by the European Research Council and is funded under a five year grant. The size of the grant provides an interesting perspective when viewed against the Grand Challenge issued by Cancer Research UK. Soucek will receive total funding from the ERC over the 5 year period of €1.7m.

To do the maths, whoever wins Challenge 6 targeting MYC, will receive up to approximately €28m over 5 years. Comparatively speaking, Soucek is running her project on a shoestring.

Cancer Research UK are looking beyond Omomyc which unsurprisingly brings the upcoming release by Phylogica of the Final Validation Studies for the MYC Hits report on Outcomes into sharp focus.