Finnish Drug Discovery Center and University of Turku launch drug discovery collaboration for overcoming cancer drug resistance.
Drug resistance remains a major challenge that limits the clinical efficacy of both existing and emerging cancer therapies. Researchers at the University of Turku have long studied the mechanisms behind cancer drug resistance and have now identified a potential first-in-class mechanism that could pave the way for new treatments.
Since spring 2025, the Finnish Drug Discovery Center (FDDC) has evaluated the scientific and commercial potential of this discovery.
“We are very pleased to start our first collaboration project with academic researchers. In addition to our financial contribution, we bring strong and diverse expertise from the pharma industry to this project, and we also want to be involved in supporting the later development path towards the establishment of a new Finnish startup company,” says Maarit Merla, CEO of FDDC.
The target remains confidential. Although it presents technical challenges, its disease relevance is well established. The potential global patient population is significant.
Anne Marjamäki, Business Development Manager at the University of Turku, and Marjo Pihlavisto, Innovation Officer responsible for the University’s collaboration with FDDC, add:
“The University of Turku is excited to begin this first joint project with FDDC. FDDC provides an opportunity to advance an academic research project toward commercialization. The journey from an academic discovery to new treatments for patients is long, but through this collaboration, we believe we can accelerate the transition. One of the key tasks of the University’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) is to promote the efficient utilization of research results for the benefit of society.”