AstraZeneca and PTC Therapeutics will collaborate to further the discovery and development of new cancer therapies, using PTC’s Gene Expression Modulation by Small-Molecules technology.

The technology enables the discovery of novel drugs by targeting regulatory mechanisms, either increasing or decreasing the expression of specific proteins.

AstraZeneca will aid PTC by making an undisclosed up-front cash payment for the initiation of the first target in the collaboration, while also funding research and providing significant milestone payments depending on future achievements.

Although initial efforts will be focused on oral oncology mediation, up to eight targets across varying therapeutic areas could also be pursued.