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Epothilone B
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"I congratulate the scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection
Research on this great achievement. In future, epothilone could help
many patients overcome cancer. However, experience has shown just how
important it is to keep your nose to the grindstone and persist with
basic research. After all, epothilones are an entirely new class of
agent and were initially studied for the purposes of scientific
research and not specifically with the treatment of cancer in mind,"
says Professor J�rgen Mlynek, President of the Helmholtz Association.
The US pharmaceuticals company Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) acquired the
licence for the substance known as epothilone B from the HZI and
developed it so that it could be launched on the market. Starting
immediately, medical practitioners in the US can prescribe it under
the trade name Ixempra to treat metastatic breast cancers that have
proven resistant to other medication. It is expected to be approved
for use in Europe next year.
The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges
facing society, science and the economy with top scientific
achievements in six research areas: Energy, Earth and Environment,
Health, Key Technologies, Structure of Matter, Transport and Space.
With 26,500 employees in 15 research centres and an annual budget of
approximately �2.3 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's
largest scientific organisation. Its work follows in the tradition of
the great natural scientist Hermann von Helmholtz (1821-1894).
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