Oxford News
Oxford University spinout Dark Blue Therapeutics acquired to advance leukaemia treatment
The acquisition is expected to help accelerate the development of a new type of targeted treatment for leukaemia, with the potential to improve outcomes for patients. It is also hoped that this treatment could be expanded to other cancers.
The scientific foundations of the programmes were built on discoveries made by Oxford researchers including Oleg Fedorov, Cassandra Adams, Gilian Farnie, Kilian Huber and Paul Brennan in the Centre for Medicines Discovery; Christian Siebold in the Division of Structural Biology (STRUBI) at the Nuffield Department of Medicine; and Thomas Milne and Nicholas Crump in the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine.
The research was further strengthened by complementary expertise across the University, including the Dunn School of Pathology, notably the groups of Professor Monika Gullerova and Professor Ivan Ahel. The work was also supported by the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), a global public-private partnership focused on open science.
The move from academic discovery to early-stage drug development began within Lab282, a £13 million partnership between the University of Oxford, the drug discovery company Evotec and Oxford Sciences Enterprises (OSE), and Bristol Myers-Squibb. Lab282 was created to bridge the gap between research and drug discovery, supporting promising projects as they move towards commercialisation.
Commenting on the role of Lab282 as an incubator, Professor Paul Brennan of the Centre for Medicines Discovery said: ‘We set out to create a model that could reduce risk early by combining strong biology with high-quality chemistry, while keeping future development in mind. Lab282 was designed to help move promising academic science into a setting where it could be developed further with industry partners. Amgen’s investment in the science demonstrates how the Lab282 model can progress promising academic research to a stage attractive to global pharmaceutical partners.’
This translational work laid the foundations for the creation of a new company to take the programme forward. Dark Blue Therapeutics an Oxford spinout, was founded to advance this research towards new medicines – focused on developing first-in-class small-molecule therapies that target cancer-driving proteins previously considered difficult to treat.
Professor Thomas Milne explains: ‘The company is developing a novel approach to treating leukaemia by targeting proteins that drive cancer growth in aggressive blood cancers, including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Our research showed that this approach can inhibit the growth of leukaemia cells while largely sparing healthy cells, raising the prospect of a more effective and better-tolerated treatment.’
The lead drug candidate developed by Dark Blue Therapeutics is now in preclinical development, with studies under way to enable testing in patients. Amgen’s acquisition of the company will provide the resources and expertise needed to take the programme into clinical trials.
John Pollard, the Chief Scientific Officer at Dark Blue and a visiting Professor of Drug Discovery at the University reflected: ‘The discovery of this exciting new class of drugs demonstrates the enormous potential in the Oxford ecosystem that can be realised when ground breaking disease insights from the Universities’ world leading scientists are leveraged by expert industrial drug hunters in a truly collaborative manner.’
The Amgen deal reflects the strength of Oxford’s wider innovation ecosystem, combining world-leading science, incubator support, spin-out expertise, and industry partnership. Together, these elements create a framework through which promising biomedical research can be advanced from discovery to commercial development, supporting the progression of future therapeutic programmes emerging from Oxford.
Didcot Town FC sent out a reminder yesterday (Saturday March 28), that its event today (Sunday, March 29) has been cancelled.
The show was billed as an afternoon with “three Leeds United Legends… Gordon Strachan and Mel Sterland and Jon Newsome”.
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Mr Strachan is perhaps the best known of the three having also managed Southampton, Celtic, Middlesbrough and Scotland.
To be held at the football club, its description said: “A night you don’t want to miss.
“Filled with historic stories from the lads at their time at the club, funny inside memories and much more.”
However, the event was cancelled and Didcot Town said that despite its request for tickets to be taken off sale by TD Promotions, they were still showing as on sale yesterday.
Today, the event is listed on TD Promotions’ website as being ‘sold out’ and does not mention that it has been cancelled.
A statement from Didcot Town Football Club said: “The Gordon Strachan, Mel Sterland and Jon Newsome event at Didcot Town this Sunday has been cancelled.
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“Despite our request for tickets to be taken off sale by TD Promotions, they are still showing as on sale.
“TD Promotions have said they will be in contact with everyone that bought a ticket next week to sort out refunds.
“Any issues contact didcotmedia@gmail.com and I will give you their details.”
Didcot Town welcomed former Leeds United strikers Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio in September 2025 for an event through TD Promotions.
Didcot’s event featured an auction and raffle, with comedian Jed Stone as the compere and saw a turnout of around 200 people.
This followed on from other high profile events at the club over the past two years which includes the late boxing legend Ricky Hatton and former England footballer Paul Gascoigne.
Thames Valley Police said on Saturday morning that its investigation continues after a duo were arrested on Thursday, March 26 across the county border from Oxfordshire in Berkshire.
A 27-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman from Slough were arrested on suspicion of murder and grievous bodily harm.
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The force said both adults had been released on conditional police bail “pending further enquiries”.
The arrests come after a child “sustained serious injuries” and “tragically passed away in hospital”, according to Detective Inspector Nick Hind from the Major Crime Unit.
The detective said the force’s enquiries are “still at an early stage” and acknowledged the incident is likely to cause “significant concern” in the community.
Hailey CE Primary unveiled the library in conjunction with World Book Day, funded through donations from the Friends of Hailey School, community grants, local business donations and our generous families.
Mrs Davies, headteacher, said: “The school is proud that together we are building a brighter future for our children through the power of reading.”
The library offers a wide selection of books across different genres to help children improve their literacy skills and discover new interests.
Excitement is high within the school community.
Mrs Davies said: “We’re so excited about the opening of our library that everyone’s peeking through the doors to catch a glimpse.
“I cannot wait to unfold the magic behind the books.”
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