LAVAL, QC, Aug. 31, 2015 /CNW/ - Myeloma Canada is very pleased to announce the first major contribution by a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company supporting the formalization of the Myeloma Canada Research Network (MCRN). Karyopharm Therapeutics has made a significant donation to further the development of the MCRN in helping achieve its goal of advancing collaborative, pan-Canadian myeloma clinical trial research.
"We are very impressed with the mission of Myeloma Canada," said Sharon Shacham, PhD, MBA, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Karyopharm. "We are pleased to have demonstrated our shared commitment to advancing innovative therapies in areas of high unmet medical need with financial support of the Myeloma Canada Research Network."
Aldo Del Col, Co-founder of Myeloma Canada and Chair of the Science & Research Committee applauds Karyopharm's commitment in supporting the Canadian myeloma research community. "Karyopharm, an emerging clinical-stage Boston-based pharmaceutical company, has unequivocally demonstrated its confidence in our Canadian researchers and the MCRN project in particular by being the first and thus far only company to provide financial support," stated Mr Del Col.
The MCRN and Karyopharm are collaborating in bringing a promising, first-in-class molecule, selinexor, to Canada in a Phase II trial developed by Dr Nizar Bahlis of Calgary and Dr Christine Chen of Toronto. There are presently 15 centres in nine provinces across Canada who have expressed interest in bringing this trial to their patients.
Dr Donna Reece, Director of the Program for Multiple Myeloma and Related Diseases at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a member of the Board of Directors of Myeloma Canada, highlights the significance of Karyopharm's contribution. According to Dr Reece, "There is intense global competition in attracting research funding and clinical trials with promising new therapies. With its generous support of the MCRN, Karyopharm is validating the fact that Canada's myeloma researchers are among the best in the world and capable of leading early phase clinical development."
About the Myeloma Canada Research Network (MCRN)
The MCRN is the first and only national academic myeloma research group bringing together Canada's leading myeloma investigators from 16 centres across the country.
Our mission is to:
With a proven record of being able to successfully conduct national trials and our ability to incorporate leading technologies into our clinical trial designs, the MCRN is poised to become a significant player on the international stage.
Focusing on high-impact Phase II clinical trials, the MCRN brings meaningful value through its network of internationally recognized investigators who are willing to share their expertise in leading-edge myeloma research and technologies.
About Myeloma Canada
Myeloma Canada is a registered non-profit organization created by, and for, people living with multiple myeloma. As the only national organization exclusively devoted to the Canadian myeloma community, we have been making myeloma matter since 2005.
Myeloma Canada seeks to strengthen the voice of the Canadian myeloma community by working with leading myeloma researchers and clinicians, local support groups and other cancer organizations to improve the quality of life of myeloma patients, their caregivers and their families through education, awareness, advocacy and research.
About Karyopharm Therapeutics
Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel first-in-class drugs directed against nuclear transport targets for the treatment of cancer and other major diseases. Karyopharm's SINE™ compounds function by binding with and inhibiting the nuclear export protein XPO1 (or CRM1). In addition to single-agent activity against a variety of different human cancers, SINE™ compounds have also shown biological activity in models of cancer, inflammation, autoimmune disease, certain viruses, and wound-healing. Karyopharm was founded by Dr. Sharon Shacham and is located in Newton, Massachusetts.
SOURCE Myeloma Canada
Image with caption: "Myeloma Canada (CNW Group/Myeloma Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150831_C6874_PHOTO_EN_487485.jpg
Josée Rainville, [email protected], 514-923-1045; Aldo Del Col, [email protected]
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