PR97814

BENGALURU, India, September 19, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    - Bugworks - a US, India and Australia based start-up with globally

recognized expertise in drug discovery, has set up a dedicated Immuno-oncology

ex vivo research lab at the Bengaluru-based hospital, Cytecare.

    - The lab bridges the translation from discovery to development, addressing

several hard-to-treat cancers such as gastric, colorectal, renal cell, breast,

head and neck, non-small cell lung cancers.

    - This partnership between leading drug discovery start-up and leading

cancer hospital paves way for the development of novel Immuno-oncology drugs

that can be effective in wider patient populations.

    - The outcome of this translational research will guide the first-in-human

trials, expected to commence in early 2024.

    Bugworks Research Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, and

Cytecare Cancer Hospitals today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind

collaboration. Bugworks develops best-in-class, novel therapies for cancer and

infectious diseases & has set up a dedicated research center within Cytecare,

which is committed to excellence in treating cancer patients.

   The coming together of a leading innovator in drug discovery and a

state-of-the-art cancer hospital promises to be a game changer in saving

countless human lives. Bugworks' drug discovery engine coupled with Cytecare's

excellence in delivering optimal clinical outcomes will offer differentiated

solutions to patients all over the world.

    Commenting on the significance of this strategic collaboration, Suresh

Ramu, Co-Founder & CEO, Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, said, "We are excited to

partner with Bugworks Research, in this inspiring endeavor to discover novel

treatments for different types of cancers. In 2016, we started with the vision

of building the country's best institution for cancer care, supported by

India-specific research data. At Cytecare, we are committed to provide the best

possible treatment to patients and support cutting-edge research. We strongly

believe that affordable and accessible immuno-oncology therapies can come from

India and be made accessible to all patients. This collaboration heralds a

brave new beginning to a healthier future."

    Bugworks' current research in immuno-oncology centers around modulating the

tumour microenvironment that includes adenosine antagonism - an area of

research with applications across many solid tumours. The drug candidates from

this research will undergo translational testing on patient-derived tumours in

the ex vivo laboratories at Cytecare, prior to progressing to first-in-human

clinical studies.

    Dr. V. Balasubramanian, Co-Founder and COO, Bugworks, noted, "We are

discovering highly differentiated, novel small molecule immunotherapeutic

agents that target the immunosuppressive and tumour-promoting microenvironment.

The ex vivo laboratories at Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, as part of our

collaboration, will greatly aid the translation of our research to high

percentage successful clinical outcomes."

    At present, immunotherapy is an important pillar in the armamentarium of

cancer care. The currently approved agents are indeed life-saving, albeit only

for a small segment of patients. Bugworks' approach, in collaboration with

Cytecare Hospitals, offers new avenues to increase the percentage of patients

who would benefit from these life-saving immunotherapies. The current

collaboration is a small, yet significant step in helping India become a

biotech powerhouse.

   About Bugworks Research (www.bugworksresearch.com

[https://bugworksresearch.com/])

   Bugworks Research is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, developing

novel therapeutic assets to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and

immunotherapies to treat cancer patients using innovative structure-guided

medicinal chemistry. Its AMR asset, BWC0977, currently in Phase 1 human studies

will address serious hospital, community and biothreat bacterial infections.

Its immuno-oncology pipeline is in pre-clinical development and has the

potential to target multiple cancers.

   About Cytecare Cancer Hospitals (www.cytecare.com [https://cytecare.com/])

   Cytecare launched its flagship center, Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, a 150-bed

organ-site focused cancer hospital, in November 2016 at Yelahanka, Bengaluru.

Founded on the principle of 'Fighting Cancer the Right Way', Cytecare houses

some of the finest surgeons, physicians, medical oncologists, radiation

oncologists, and other clinical experts in the country within its world-class

facility. Patient-centricity is a hallmark of treatment at Cytecare and today

their comprehensive clinical team delivers holistic healing across a range of

medical specialties. Cytecare is also a part of multiple global clinical

research studies, which ensures continuous learning & improvement in clinical

outcomes for their patients. Cytecare delivers a consistently high-level of

specialized care for thousands of cancer patients, from more than 40 countries.

   For enquiries contact:

   Pradeep Fernandes

   pradeep@bugworksresearch.com

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   Source: Bugworks