Pioneering research into how cells repair DNA damage has translated into the development of a new cancer drug, Lynparza (aka Olaparib), which has been used to treat more than 40,000 patients with ovarian, breast, pancreatic or prostate cancers. In the UK, the research has led to the creation of four companies (KuDOS was acquired by AstraZeneca for £120 million) and 70 jobs. AstraZeneca valued Olaparib at $17 billion in 2018 and estimates that, by 2025, the drug will have significantly improved 300,000 patients’ lives. NHS England has agreed a landmark commercial deal to approve use of the drug for some patients with breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Added 14 November 2022; updated 25 April 2023.