SCHERING AND NOVARTIS COLLABORATE ON POSSIBLE CANCER BLOCKBUSTER

Switzerland-based drug major Novartis and Germany's Schering AG are jointly conducting development activity on a new anticancer compound known as PTK/ZK. The two companies claim the drug, which reportedly blocks blood flow to tumours, could earn sales of some EUR2bn (US$2.7bn).

Studies currently involve examinations into the drug's effectiveness against intestinal cancer, although the technology could be transferred to other therapeutic areas in oncology.