The University of South Australia has signed a deal with a Chinese pharmaceutical firm for new cancer research.

They say the deal with one of China’s leading drug-makers - Yabao Pharmaceutical Co –will allow local researchers to work collaboratively to develop new treatments for cancer.

The agreement will see the University of South Australia work to identify drug candidates in a co-funded laboratory led by the University’s Professor Shudong Wang.

Yabao Pharmaceuticals will provide significant contributions including cash and in-kind towards the drug discovery and development and it will have an exclusive rights to develop and commercialise the drug candidates in China, while the University of South Australia will retain rights in all other markets.

President of R&D, Yabao Pharmaceutical, Dr Peng Wang says Yabao is constantly seeking to build relationships with organisations that have innovative programs that complement the company’s development and commercial capabilities.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the University of South Australia’s highly regarded scientists and laboratories to jointly find a way to develop important new treatments for cancer patients,” Dr Wang says.

Vice Chancellor and President of the University of South Australia, Professor David Lloyd says there are no international barriers to great research and development.

“We are thrilled to have forged such a strong collaboration in China that will enhance the development of new therapies for cancer, a disease that continues to present one of our greatest global challenges,” Prof Lloyd says.

“We look forward to working closely with Yabao Pharmaceuticals with the shared goal of developing novel anti-cancer agents to patients in China and globally.”