Tumour reversion model licensed
its TSAP6 genetic mouse model, used in cancer research, to
Molecular Engines Laboratories of France.
Germany's Ingenium Pharmaceuticals has licensed exclusive rights to its TSAP6 genetic mouse model, used in cancer research, to Molecular Engines Laboratories of France.
TSAP6 (tumor suppressor activated pathway-6) is a gene discovered by MEL's scientific founders to have a role in cancer tumour reversion. The company wanted to develop a mouse model of the gene and approached Ingenium, which has a technology (Deductve Genomics) that can screen for animals with random alterations in the genome.
TSAP6 is thought to act downstream of the well-studied p53 tumour suppressor gene, which plays a crucial role in the development of cancer by controlling cell cycle progression and apoptosis (programmed cell death). MEL has discovered that it is involved in the process of tumour reversion of two leukaemia and three breast cancer cell lines.
The mouse model will enable MEL to advance its research into TSAP6, which has the aim of developing drugs that can increase the activity of the TSAP6 pathway and switch cancer cells to a less malignant phenotype. It will be used in functional genomics research and for target validation and compound profiling.
