Aargau-based leadXpro has entered a strategic agreement with the UK based Astex Pharmaceuticals. The aim is to facilitate structure-based drug discovery of membrane protein targets by single particle cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) using leadXpro's platform and know-how.
Recent years have seen a revolution in resolution of 3D structures of proteins by single particle cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Today, structural information from membrane proteins can be determined to support drug discovery of small molecules as well as biotherapeutics. To successfully apply cryo-EM to membrane protein projects, leadXpro created a platform for generation of optimal samples. To analyze cryo-EM data, leadXpro invested in own computing capabilities and licensed data analysis software.
Expanding on its collaborations, leadXpro has entered into a partnership with Astex, a UK-based innovative drug discovery and development company dedicated to fight against cancer and diseases of the central nervous system. Leadxpro and Astex will work on high-resolution membrane protein cryo-EM structures to enable characterization of small molecules binding to drug targets. This information may facilitate the discovery and subsequent optimization of lead molecules.
Nicolas Bocquet, project leader at leadXpro said: “With the recent developments and improvements of this technology, we are confident of the utility of cryo-EM derived structural information in small molecule drug design projects on targets which were previously not accessible to X-ray crystallography.”
Pamela Williams, project leader at Astex said: “X-ray crystallography has always been the cornerstone of Astex’ drug discovery platform starting from fragment molecules to clinical candidates. We hope that Cryo-EM will complement our efforts in structure-based lead discovery and extend the target space to include membrane proteins.”
(Press release/ran)
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