The Cambridge Molecular Therapeutics Programme

The discovery and development of new small molecule drugs for the treatment of human diseases is a lengthy and inefficient process. Major challenges include the limited repertoire of molecular targets accessible to conventional methods for lead discovery, and the high attrition rate during early clinical development in therapeutic areas such as Oncology.

The Cambridge Molecular Therapeutics Programme (CMTP) is an interdisciplinary initiative at the University of Cambridge jointly directed by Professors Ashok Venkitaraman and Tom Blundell that seeks to address these challenges.  The CMTP harnesses a unique and interdisciplinary spectrum of leading academic expertise in Cambridge for the discovery and development of drugs against cancer (co-ordinated by Ashok Venkitaraman) and infectious diseases (co-ordinated by Chris Abell). Our focus is on the development of innovative new strategies to widen the repertoire of ‘druggable’ targets, and enhance the efficiency of downstream clinical development.

Faculty in the CMTP have considerable experience of working with industry, and the goal-oriented and milestone-driven organization of our work facilitates partnerships with commercial collaborators in areas of mutual interest. The CMTP offers a new model for pharmaceutical research in the academic setting.