Karus began operations in 2006, the result of a four-year collaboration between the University of Southampton and Cancer Research UK. This inter-disciplinary collaboration enabled Karus to identify new HDAC inhibitors with an exceptional combination of potency and tolerability that are expected to become best-in-class drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. In 2007 Karus signed a co-development agreement for its HDAC cancer program with EOS S.p.A. (Milan, Italy); as a result of this successful collaboration, Karus and EOS expect to initiate clinical trials in early 2010.
The company's lipid kinase signalling program has resulted from a long-standing relationship between key scientists with unrivalled knowledge of the PI3 Kinase pathway. Working with the RAE 4-star rated cell-signalling laboratory at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, Karus has designed novel, proprietary small molecule inhibitors with unique selectivity profiles that are expected to enable the development of best-in-class therapeutics.
Originally funded by IP Group and the Sulis Fund, Karus's shareholder base now includes investment funds based in the UK, mainland Europe and the United States. These funds are complemented by a number of UK and European Angel investors that have remained committed to Karus's growth and success.
Karus's strategy is to develop its innovative and proprietary drugs through early clinical-testing (Phase IIA human trials) before securing exclusive partnership agreements with leading pharmaceutical companies.
Karus Therapeutics Ltd
2 Venture Road
Southampton Science Park
Chilworth
Hampshire
SO16 7NP
United Kingdom