Our story
CellCentric is an innovative biotechnology company based across Cambridge, Manchester and Boston. The company was spun out from the University of Cambridge by pioneering developmental biologist Professor Azim Surani FRS, CBE, who wanted to further explore the potential of chromatin-related cell fate control mechanisms to deliver new treatments. From its origins, CellCentric built a network of research and evaluation relationships with over 25 leading academic research groups worldwide.
CellCentric investigated over 50 targets and mechanisms before focusing on p300/CBP and developing a small molecule inhibitor (CCS1477, inobrodib).
CellCentric was co-founded with one of the pioneers of cell fate control research, Prof Azim Surani FRS CBE of the Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge.
Prof Surani discovered and described a code, beyond DNA, that could be inherited and instruct cell fate.
When gene regulation goes awry, cancer can result.
It quickly became clear that studying chromatin-related cell fate control mechanisms could yield many unexplored targets for new drug discovery; enzymes that modify DNA, histones as well as transcription co-activation factors.
Best knowledge drives the identification of the best opportunities.
CellCentric built a network of research and evaluation relationships with over 25 leading academic research groups worldwide, to identify new opportunities for developing breakthrough treatments.
Through collaboration, multiple targets were prioritised for drug discovery.
CellCentric worked on multiple target validation and early medicinal chemistry programs, including methyltransferases and deubiquitnases. An arginine methyltransferase program was licensed to Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
Chromatin-associated proteins are key in regulating gene expression.
CellCentric’s research evolved to concentrate on twin transcription co-activation proteins p300 and CBP, which drive the expression of genes important in cancer progression, including MYC and IRF4.
First of its kind; novel small molecule inhibitor of p300/CBP.
CellCentric went on to develop a potent and specific small molecule p300/CBP inhibitor, inobrodib. It targets the conserved bromodomain of p300/CBP. Inobrodib is formulated as a capsule taken orally.
Inobrodib is now in Phase II clinical trials.
CellCentric is evaluating the safety and efficacy of inobrodib in clinical trials, treating both solid tumours and hematological malignancies. The main focus is on multiple myeloma. Studies are active across the UK and in the US and EU.
