Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit

We develop novel, differentiated, small molecule therapies for cancer patients. Our team includes:

• cancer biologists
• pharmacologists
• structural biologists
• medicinal chemists

Our team combines experience from both industry and academia. We specialise in structural and biophysical fragment-based approaches for drug discovery. This is complemented by our strengths in synthetic chemistry.

We also aim to develop innovative cutting-edge technologies. This enables us to:

• better validate targets
• assess target ligandability
• identify chemical hit matter

Working with industry

We work in close partnership with industry. We have had a strategic Drug Discovery Alliance with Astex Pharmaceuticals (UK) since 2012.

Our projects have contributed to the discovery of two registered cancer medicines. And two other drugs are currently under evaluation in clinical trials.