RESEARCH
Vipergen ApS, Anavo Therapeutics | May 18, 2021
Vipergen, a leading supplier of small-molecule drug discovery services focused on DNA-encoded library (DEL) technologies, has signed a drug discovery service agreement with Anavo Therapeutics. Vipergen will use its patented high-fidelity DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology platforms to provide novel small-molecule drug leads against selected Anavo discovery targets, according to the terms of the agreement. The agreement's financial terms were not disclosed.
"Vipergen's novel solutions to DNA-encoded libraries are useful components for ramping up our patented drug development activities against a chosen portfolio of innovative goals," said Anavo CEO Birgit Zech, Ph.D. "We are excited to collaborate with Vipergen to kick-start Anavo's proprietary drug development activities as we strive to create a comprehensive and secure platform for phosphatase drug discovery against all valuable targets in the space."
"We are delighted to have been chosen by Anavo, a new company focusing on understanding the full therapeutic potential of human phosphatase biology in the development of new cancer therapies," said Nils Hansen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Vipergen. "Phosphatases are a rich target space that has been thought to be impenetrable for decades. We are excited to use our DNA-encoded library technology to quickly produce high-quality hits and leads as part of Anavo's comprehensive approach to finding and improving small-molecule phosphatase activity modulators."
About Vipergen ApS
Vipergen is the world's largest supplier of small-molecule drug discovery services focused on DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology, as well as the first and only organization capable of screening DELs within a living cell. Vipergen's patented portfolio of cutting-edge DEL technologies is made accessible by funded discovery collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, including top pharmaceutical companies in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Read More
Bioclean Innovations | October 19, 2020
Bioclean Innovations Inc, a Biotech startup focused on innovative antimicrobial solutions to combat disease outbreaks has partnered with rep-L® Antimicrobials, to launch a powerful but non-toxic bio-based antimicrobial product line. Our rep-L-based disinfectants are designed to create a new methodology for addressing the infection control challenges facing the education and long-term health care sectors today. The SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic is one of an increasing number of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant infections society is facing. Schools, universities, and care homes rely on a frequent cleaning and disinfection process which now requires more cleaning and disinfectant products and more labor while still leaving the risks of microbial transmission from contamination occurring on the surface in between disinfection cycles. Bioclean has developed a range of products, including continuously-active disinfectant, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes that can kill and protect against viruses, bacteria, and fungi for thirty (30) days and longer, eliminating the need for frequent disinfection and providing effective, long-lasting protection on high touch surfaces and hands.
Read More
RESEARCH
PostEra | January 12, 2022
PostEra, a biotechnology company specializing in machine learning for preclinical drug discovery, announced the expansion of the company's existing strategic collaboration with Pfizer. The expanded multi-target research program will establish an AI Lab where PostEra and Pfizer jointly advance multiple drug discovery programs with an initial focus in oncology and COVID-19 antiviral therapeutics. The AI Lab will leverage novel machine learning for medicinal chemistry built upon Pfizer's data, and PostEra's pioneering innovations in generative chemistry and synthesis-aware design.
PostEra will receive an upfront payment of $13M and is eligible to receive additional milestone payments totalling up to $248M should all milestones be achieved, in addition to tiered royalties on any approved products arising out of the collaboration.
The AI Lab will tightly integrate drug discovery with technology development to ensure a continuous feedback loop that refines both the process and predictions from the platform. The vision of the AI Lab is to combine Pfizer's expertise and data with PostEra's technology to advance these drug discovery programs, while also producing an integrated state-of-the-art platform to be deployed across Pfizer's in-house, preclinical drug discovery efforts.
"We think the best way to build leading technology is to have its development tightly integrated with live drug discovery programs", said Dr. Alpha Lee, Chief Scientific Officer of PostEra. "We're pleased that we are expanding the existing collaboration to do exactly this and to reap the AI advantage in improving preclinical drug discovery,"
Aaron Morris, CEO of PostEra
"At Pfizer, we believe digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, hold great potential to aid the discovery of novel approaches to prevent, cure, and treat disease for patients in need," said Charlotte Allerton, Head of Medicine Design, Pfizer. "We're excited to extend our collaboration with PostEra to further build on our current capabilities."
The company today also announced its $24M Series A financing. The new funding will enable PostEra to further expand its partnered drug discovery programs, initiate internal drug discovery programs, as well as further develop its AI-first medicinal chemistry platform.
About PostEra
PostEra was founded in 2019 and its technology is built on pioneering academic research done by its founding scientists. PostEra's technology addresses some of the key challenges in drug discovery R&D by integrating molecular design with chemical synthesis. PostEra advances small molecule programs through partnerships with biopharma, working on its own internal pipeline, and also offering some of its synthesis technology via its Manifold web platform. PostEra also launched and now helps lead the world's largest open-science drug discovery effort; COVID Moonshot.
Read More