Prof. Emeritus Duncan Hunter’s Cancer Therapy Drug Granted FDA Approval
Drug discovery is a long, expensive process that’s hard to complete outside of the large pharmaceutical corporate paradigm. Thirty years ago, our own Professor Duncan Hunter came up with a simple but brilliant idea for treating a rare cancer and pushed it towards development, and finally patients with adrenal cancer have a new potential treatment. Drugs without a large monetary value, often called orphan drugs, are seldomly developed by profit-oriented businesses, and we applaud Prof. Hunter’s effort and ultimate success. Here is more information about this intriguing story that also highlights the importance of basic scientific research:
A CBC interview with Prof. Hunter:
http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/afternoon-drive/segment/15570311
The Western News story:
http://news.westernu.ca/2018/08/cancer-drug-earns-fda-nod-decades/
The FDA announcement:
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm615155.htm
Congratulations, Duncan! We all applaud your efforts and this important achievement.
Update September 21, 2018, a Story in Canadian Chemical News:
http://www.cheminst.ca/magazine/news/drug-approval-marks-end-decades-long-journey