Sales of Temozolomide, an anti-cancer drug developed by Cancer Research UK scientists, have reached $1 billion.
The charity receives a percentage royalty on these sales, which it uses to invest in new research to beat cancer.
Temozolomide - a chemotherapy drug for patients with the most common form of brain tumour - was discovered 30 years ago in a Cancer Research UK laboratory led by Professor Malcolm Stevens, then at Aston University in Birmingham.
The charity also undertook the first clinical trials of the drug which proved its activity against glioblastoma multiforme - the most aggressive type of brain tumour accounting for over 50 per cent of all primary cases of the disease.
Based on these phase I and phase II trials - which were managed by Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office - the charity's commercial and development arm Cancer Research Technology ( CRT) licensed the drug to Schering-Plough which now markets the drug. The company undertook the pivotal phase III studies which found that temozolomide, when given in combination with radiotherapy, results in a significant increase in survival with minimal side effects.
Dr Keith Blundy, chief executive of CRT, said: "We're delighted that Temozolomide has achieved sales of over $1 billion. We're extremely proud of our involvement in the licensing of Temozolomide as it has proved to be an effective treatment for people with brain tumours who otherwise have very limited treatment options.
"The royalties we receive from the sales of Temozolomide go straight back into the pot to fund further research to aid the development of even more drugs to help in our fight against the disease."
The standard of care for glioblastoma multiforme - also known as glioma - includes chemotherapy during and after radiotherapy. The use of temozolomide both during radiotherapy and for six months post radiotherapy is now the gold standard treatment for most cases of the disease. Temozolomide works by killing cancer cells and sensitising them to the effects of radiation.
Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer esearch UK, said: "This milestone highlights the significant impact our research is having on cancer drug development. It is testament to the ingenuity of the scientists who developed the original compound as well as the unique capabilities of our drug development and technology transfer teams."