Roquefort Therapeutics PLC on Monday said its Mesodermal Killer cell programme has reached a ‘significant’ milestone.

The London-based biotechnology company, focused on developing medicines for hard-to-treat cancers, said MK cells in combination with natural killer cells demonstrated both the activation of the NK cells, and that this activation doubled cytotoxicity over just NK cells.

The firm said the response was visible in ovarian cancer, acute myeloid leukemia and multiple melanoma.

MK cells kill cancer cells directly, but the firm said the ‘more profound effect’ is to activate NK cells. NK cells are white blood cells that destroy infected or diseased cells.

The company said it will continue in vivio studies of the MK cells.

Chief Executive Ajan Reginald said: ‘This is an excellent set of results which demonstrates the company’s strategy to select and acquire novel medicines and to rapidly develop them to reach significant commercial milestones.

‘Our MK cells combined with natural killer cells show a profound cancer killing effect across solid tumours, lymphoma and leukaemia. The NK cell activator is a highly attractive market niche with a number of recent high value transactions. Today’s results build on the excellent results we have reported for our siRNA and Midkine programs.’

‘Our portfolio is attracting interest from Big Pharma and private equity, and in line with our strategy, we are engaged in discussions with these potential partners. In the meantime, we will continue to deliver these value enhancing milestones across our programs on time and within budget.’

Roquefort shares rose 6.3% to 7.18 pence each on Monday morning in London.

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