To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Agreement With NCI for Extended Collaborative Research of Taxol URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/E64A.htm Doctor's Guide December 3, 1996
BETHESDA, Md., and PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 3, 1996 -- The National Cancer Institute (NCI) of The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) have recently agreed to continue and extend their collaborative research for the development of TAXOL(R) (paclitaxel). This joint effort is described in two recently signed agreements. The first continues the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) through December, 1997 under which the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and BMS have been jointly developing TAXOL(R) (paclitaxel). The second agreement transfers exclusive rights to three NCI inventions to Bristol-Myers Squibb for future development. As in prior agreements, BMS is committed to fully develop the inventions to insure that they benefit the broadest possible group of cancer patients. BMS agreed to provide the government with royalty and research support which will be used for important research projects at the NCI and for additional TAXOL clinical trials, including patient enrollment costs. "We're very pleased to have signed new agreements with Bristol-Myers Squibb. TAXOL is one of the most significant cancer therapies available today, and we've only begun to scratch the surface of the drug's full benefit for cancer patients," said Richard Klausner, M.D., director of the National Cancer Institute. The continuation of the CRADA with the NCI is an affirmation by both parties of the importance of TAXOL, the enormous amount of work and resources still needed to fully develop the potential of it in the treatment of cancer and the unparalleled success of this collaboration. The NCI and BMS collaborated in the development of TAXOL with BMS, obtaining Food and Drug Administration approval for the use of TAXOL in ovarian cancer at the end of 1992, only 24 months after the original CRADA partnership was approved. Since then, BMS and the NCI have sponsored an additional 500 clinical trials involving 25,000 patients. "TAXOL has proven to be a far more important drug than was originally envisioned in 1988, when a CRADA partner was first sought by the NCI. Bristol-Myers Squibb remains committed to the research and development of TAXOL in order to further realize the drug's cancer-fighting potential," said Michael D. Loberg, Ph.D., president of Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology and Immunology division. Originally, TAXOL'S active ingredient could only be derived from the bark of the Pacific Yew Tree. After an intensive research effort, BMS developed a method of producing the active ingredient utilizing renewable needles and twigs, avoiding the need to harvest trees. Large-scale efforts continue on methods to refine and improve the drug's formulation. TAXOL is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating breast and ovarian cancer. It is now available in more than 50 countries. It has been described by the NCI as the most important advance in cancer treatment in well over a decade. BMS is a diversified worldwide health and personal care company. Its principal businesses are pharmaceuticals, consumer products, nutritionals, and medical devices. It is a leading maker of innovative therapies for cardiovascular, metabolic and infectious diseases, central nervous system and dermatological disorders, and cancer. The company is also a leader in consumer medicines, orthopaedic devices, ostomy care, wound management, nutritional supplements, infant formulas, and hair and skin care products. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.