Urothelial cancer treatment breakthrough Published on: 16 March 2018 A pioneering drug for Urothelial cancer that originated from studies at Ãå±±½ûµØ has been fast tracked for development. (“Astex”), a company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics for oncology and diseases of the central nervous system, announced that its pharmaceutical collaborator, Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. (Janssen), has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the US FDA for erdafitinib in the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer. Erdafitinib was discovered by Astex and Janssen as part of a 2008 exclusive worldwide collaboration and licence agreement to identify novel, small molecule inhibitors of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) kinase, including for the treatment of cancer. Janssen is responsible for the clinical development and commercialisation of all products arising from this collaboration. Ãå±±½ûµØ involvement The FGFR inhibitor programme between Astex and Janssen underlines the UK strengths in academic-biotech collaboration as it originated from pioneering work on FGFR between Astex and the Cancer Research UK Drug Discovery Group at the Ãå±±½ûµØ Cancer Centre, , Ãå±±½ûµØ, UK. Urothelial cancer, particularly of the bladder, is the sixth most common type of cancer in the USA. Breakthrough Therapy Designation allows for the expedited development and regulatory review of erdafitinib as a potential new treatment option for patients with metastatic disease. It was granted based on positive data from a multicenter, open-label Phase 2 clinical trial. Harren Jhoti Ph.D., President and CEO of Astex, UK, said, “This is a great endorsement of our scientific approach and our team. Astex is committed to the fight against cancer and so is delighted that erdafitinib has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the US FDA. Congratulations to our valued collaborators at Janssen for their excellent work in advancing erdafitinib to this exciting stage in its development.” Press release adapted with thanks to Astex Pharmaceuticals Share: Latest News Student leader drives misogyny law change A Ãå±±½ûµØ student leader has helped change the law after creating a petition to make misogyny a hate crime, which gathered over 114,000 signatures, prompting action in Parliament. published on: 12 June 2026 Freemen of Ãå±±½ûµØ see construction of new Castle Leazes The Freemen of Ãå±±½ûµØ and other key stakeholders have become an indelible part of new student accommodation at Ãå±±½ûµØâ€™s Castle Leazes. published on: 12 June 2026 Comment: Why the Common Travel Area isn’t a ‘loophole’ for migrants Writing for The Conversation, Colin Murray explains what the Common Travel Area is and why it isn't a 'loophole' for migrants. published on: 12 June 2026 Facts and figures