Partnership with Center for New Medicines will expedite new cancer treatments

A new partnership between Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and the Center for New Medicines (CNM) at Emory University School of Medicine, announced last spring, will expedite the drug discovery pipeline that translates fundamental biological discoveries into next generations of lifesaving treatments for patients with cancer.

The CNM’s first six funded projects focus on cancer-related drug candidates. CNM is an integrated hub of advanced technology, infrastructure and resources bringing together scientists and physicians to collaborate on identifying unmet medical needs and creating solutions to improve health outcomes across key disease areas.

“The dismal survival rate of many cancers and the limited treatment options speaks loudly to the urgency of developing new cancer drugs,” says CNM co-founder Haian Fu, PhD, co-leader of Winship’s Developmental Therapeutics Research Program, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology and associate dean for therapeutic discovery and development at Emory University School of Medicine. Fu says, “This strategic partnership between Winship and CNM ensures that we will always have this urgency in mind to build a robust portfolio of cancer therapeutics projects in our pipeline, with the ultimate goal of bringing Winship discoveries to the clinic and addressing the unique therapeutic needs within our catchment (cancer center service) area.”

CNM co-founder Dennis C. Liotta, PhD, also a researcher with Winship’s Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Research Program, professor of chemistry and pharmacology and chemical biology at Emory University, and former executive director of Emory Institute for Drug Development, says, “At the CNM, discovery scientists work closely with clinicians to identify critical unmet medical needs and prioritize discovery efforts to address these issues. In doing so, we create target product profiles (TPP) for each project that help discovery teams remain focused on the project priorities.”

Liotta says connections between Winship clinicians and CNM scientists provide opportunities to prioritize research where new treatments are most needed. “Through our interactions with Winship,” he says, “we can obtain guidance in prioritizing the indications that represent the most urgent needs, particularly if they are not being actively addressed by pharmaceutical and biotech companies.”

Winship’s executive director Suresh S. Ramalingam, MD, says, “Winship’s researchers are discovering new ways to target cancer cells in their laboratories with the goal of discovering novel ways to cure cancer.” He adds, “The Center for New Medicines will prove to be a vital resource in their efforts to bring their discoveries to patients.” Ramalingam foresees a “seamless translation of discoveries to new therapeutic agents for clinical use.”

Emory is home to more than 3,000 investigators and receives more than $1 billion annually in sponsored research awards. Emory already is a top contributor of FDA-approved drugs. The CNM will position Emory to set the pace for all academic drug discovery enterprises.

“Emory has a strong track record of success in drug discovery,” says CNM co-founder Fu, “as evidenced by the global impact our discoveries have had on HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and COVID-19 therapeutics, among others.” Fu also cites Emory’s “world-class infrastructure, a compact and collaborative campus with multiple units and centers, and inspiring leaders with a vision to bring health care solutions to patients around the world.”

Liotta also points to Emory’s “unique strengths” for why the CNM fits so well here. Among other assets, he notes the Winship Discovery and Development Therapeutics Research Program, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center and the Biological Discovery through Chemical Innovation Initiative (BDCI), “as well as the myriad of highly experienced faculty in the Emory University School of Medicine and Emory College of Arts and Sciences.”

Fu says the CNM represents “a pivotal moment in our quest to accelerate the global impact of lifesaving therapeutics”—and Emory is an ideal place for it to occur. “The diverse expertise and robust infrastructure we have at Emory provides fertile ground for nurturing new transformative treatments. We’re aiming to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and clinical translation.”

“Typically,” says Tyler S. Beyett, PhD, “drug researchers receive support for only a specific portion of the research pipeline. In contrast, the CNM aims to support projects through multiple stages, and this longer-term access to technical expertise and funding will enable projects to move through the pipeline more rapidly and efficiently.” He adds, “This is really the ideal model for those most serious about translating discoveries into new lifesaving therapies.”

Beyett, a member of Winship’s Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Research Program and an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology at Emory University School of Medicine, mainly focuses on the clinical development of new treatments for people with lung cancer that is resistant to other drugs. He says he is excited that the CNM will facilitate a more rapid pace in moving potential therapies through the pipeline from the lab to the clinic.

In terms of his own research, Beyett says, “We are trying to discover new chemical inhibitors of a protein that causes lung cancer. This involves testing tens or hundreds of thousands of molecules against our target, which the Center is supporting.” He says their chances of success are magnified because they can use Emory’s exclusive chemical libraries that provide “access to potential new therapeutics that cannot be discovered elsewhere.” In short, Beyett says, “The support of the Center for New Medicines and its synergy with existing centers is greatly accelerating our work to develop new chemotherapies.”

Huw M. L. Davies, PhD, is a member of Winship’s Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Research Program and the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Organic Chemistry at Emory University. His research is focused on developing new methods of synthesis relevant for pharmaceutical development. One of his projects has involved working to design treatments for leukemia in collaboration with David A. Frank, MD, PhD, FACP, Winship hematologist-oncologist and a member of Winship’s Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Research Program as well as director of the Division of Hematology and professor in Emory University School of Medicine's Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology. CNM is now funding the series of “novel leads with promising biological activity” that his lab produced. Davies says, “This gives us an opportunity to build momentum around this drug discovery program and advance the compounds to a stage that commercial partners would be interested in further development.”

Yong Wan, PhD, is director for basic research for Winship’s Glenn Family Breast Center, member of Winship’s Cell and Molecular Biology Research Program and professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology with a secondary appointment in Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine. A leading expert in post-translational modifications and cancer biology, Wan studies how breast cancer occurs and identifies novel targets for therapeutic development. “What excites me most about the CNM,” he says, “is its ability to unite basic cancer scientists, medicinal chemists and clinicians within one collaborative environment.” He says that integrating cutting-edge technology and resources will “allow us to better identify and address unmet medical needs.”

Wan adds, “The CNM’s strong focus on cancer research highlights its determination not just to advance science, but to deliver meaningful solutions to the clinic. Personally, this is what makes being part of this initiative so impactful.”

“We are thrilled to provide a unique model to not only accelerate Winship discoveries to the clinic, but also integrate resources from across campus to provide overall support to Winship’s translational pipeline,” says CNM Program Director, Callie Wigington, PhD.

The CNM represents a big step forward for both research and clinical practice at Winship, shortening the time it takes to discover, develop and seek FDA approval for new treatments. “We are delighted that the CNM has prioritized projects focused on cancer," says Ramalingam. “This center will play a major role in achieving our mission of discovering cures for cancer and inspiring hope for patients.”