Research opportunities in basic science and discovery research

We will transform our fundamental understanding of cancer

• We will support a broad portfolio of world-leading discovery research that will transform our understanding of cancer biology. We will support investigations into all types of cancer, with prioritised investment in our four cancers of unmet need – brain, lung, oesophageal and pancreatic cancers.
   
• We will invest in pioneering research that enhances our understanding of the biology of early, pre-invasive, localised and metastatic disease
   
• We will support both single investigator led research and team science where broad ranging expertise is required to address complex questions
   
• We will increase our investment in multidisciplinary approaches to create or apply novel technologies and methodologies to address previously intractable questions in cancer. We will stimulate research in understanding the role of the immune system in cancer and the opportunities to exploit it therapeutically.

We will translate scientific discoveries for patient benefit

• We will support hypothesis-driven cutting-edge research, ranging from discovery science to translational research, that has a clear articulation of the potential ultimate patient benefit.

• We will increase our investment in high-quality research that addresses clinically relevant questions through the investigation of underpinning biological mechanisms, which can include utilising data-rich sample collections and disease-relevant model systems.

• We will grow investment in developing and optimising existing treatments, in particular combination therapy, surgery and radiotherapy.

• We will exploit the potential to translate biological findings into novel therapies or biomarkers to inform future clinical trial design.

CanSAR: Cancer Drug Discovery Platform

CanSAR supports discovery and translational research by providing an integrated knowledgebase that brings together multidisciplinary data across biology, chemistry, pharmacology, structural biology, cellular networks and clinical annotations, and applies machine learning approaches to provide useful predictions for drug discovery.

Cancer Research Horizons-AstraZeneca Functional Genomics Centre

The joint AstraZeneca-Cancer Research Horizons Functional Genomics Centre offers access to cutting-edge CRISPR technology to facilitate the creation of new cancer medicines and the improved use of existing cancer medicines.