Cancer Research UK and AstraZeneca have agreed to initiate a clinical trial of AZD-3965 as a cancer treatment.

AZD-3965 targets the monocarboxylate transporter, which is essential in cell metabolism. It is the sixth drug to enter Cancer Research UK’s Clinical Development Partnerships programme, a joint initiative with Cancer Research Technology.

The Phase I/IIa clinical trial of about 60 patients to begin in 2011, and will be funded by Cancer Research UK.

AstraZeneca has the option to develop the drug based on the data from the Phase I/IIa trial. If it chooses not to, Cancer Research Technology can secure an alternative partner for drug development.

The charity will receive a portion of revenues generated by the drug.