Two collaborations from within the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences have jointly won the Medical Breakthrough Award.
Cardiff School of Medicine & Myriad Genetics Inc
Identification, translation and commercialisation of the first gene for recessive predisposition to bowel cancer (MUTYH): Cardiff University researchers identified a new gene (MUTYH) causing an inherited form of bowel cancer and developed an internationally-adopted system of testing to improve genetic counselling and medical care. The tests have since been licensed and rolled out across the world. Led by Professors Julian Sampson and Jeremy Cheadle, the research improved genetic counselling, genetic testing and bowel cancer prevention in colorectal cancer worldwide, and led to more efficient targeting of colonoscopic screening services to high risk patients.
More than 11,000 patient samples have been tested internationally for MUTYH mutation since the gene was discovered, generating income of around $5m in licence fees for Myriad Genetics Inc, the US company which has licenced the technology . The Wales Gene Park and the Technology Transfer team at Cardiff University provided commercial assistance via specialist support in the patenting and licensing of this genetic information, along with expertise provided by the Institute of Medical Genetics. The work also contributed to the award of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize to Cardiff University in February 2008.
Cardiff School of Medicine & MRC
Defining a Standard of Care for Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer: An international study showed that the risk of death for men suffering from locally advanced or high-risk prostate cancer could be cut significantly by adding radiation therapy to standard hormone treatments. Professor Malcolm Mason, Cancer Research Wales Professor of Clinical Oncology at the School of Medicine, has led the UK arm of the research trial into prostate cancer since 1998, when he was appointed as the UK Chief Investigator, leading the study in this country for the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Prostate cancer kills around 10,000 men in the UK every year. With colleagues from Canada and North America, Professor Mason and the Medical Research Council team, including Matt Sydes, presented new evidence showing that survival rates significantly improve if radiation is added to standard hormone treatments when treating men whose cancer has spread beyond the prostate. Based on the evidence available, this will result in the prevention of 43% of deaths from prostate cancer in men with locally advanced cancer. The trial changed medical guidelines and practice in Europe and North America and, following the study, NICE guidelines now advise that 100% of patients suitable for radiotherapy must be offered it.
The People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award was presented to Dr Neil Warren (WIMAT, PGMDE), Dr Dominic Griffiths and Dr Peter Bannister (Asalus) by Edwina Hart AM, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport; the New Ventures Award was presented by Geldards Law Firm – Ceri Delemore, Partner. The Cardiff University Innovation and Impact Awards – sponsored by Geldards Law Firm and IP Group Plc – also celebrated four other winners.
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/articles/ground-breaking-invention-clears-smoke-and-awards-13089.html