Archive for the ‘Asia’ Category

XIXth International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry

Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 November 2005 04:48 Written by admin Tuesday, 29 November 2005 04:48

Istanbul, Turkey – August 29 – September 2, 2006

The ISMC-2006 Symposium will be organized by the Turkish Association of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry under the auspices of the European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC).

This symposium is recognized worldwide as one of the leading Medicinal Chemistry meetings, as proven by its large international attendance, which varies between 1200 and 1500 participants from all over Europe, but also from the United States and Asia.

The Symposium will focus on important new scientific and technological developments in the drug discovery process; particularly those relevant to medicinal chemistry. The meeting will create an environment for in-depth, informed discussions highlighting the importance of medicinal chemistry in the pharmaceutical industry, academia and drug research. It will also provide opportunities to re-emphasise the crucial position of medicinal chemistry in the drug discovery process and its pivotal role in linking and exploiting the associated biological sciences. Therefore, the ISMC-2006 intends to create a forum for all scientists interested in medicinal chemistry and related fields.

More details regarding the participation and the scientific program are available via the symposium website: www.ismc2006.org

Posted under Asia, Asia, Medicinal Chemistry | Comments Off

Trans Genic Receives Japanese Patents on Knockout Mice for Drug Development

Last Updated on Wednesday, 5 October 2005 03:12 Written by admin Wednesday, 5 October 2005 03:12

By Bruce Porter, JCN Staff Writer

Tokyo (JCN) – Trans Genic has announced that its patents on genetically modified (“knockout”) mice are now registered by the Japan Patent Office (Japanese Patent No. 371167 and 3713513). In collaboration with Kumamoto University, the Japan Science and Technology Agency and EU GENE, which was absorbed by Trans Genic as of July 1, the company filed application for patents for the mice.

Trans Genic expects that the knockout mice will play a role in the process of screening and assessing candidate compounds for neovascularization with the aim of contributing to drug development.

Trans Genic has announced that its patents on genetically modified (“knockout”) mice are now registered by the Japan Patent Office (Japanese Patent No. 371167 and 3713513). In collaboration with Kumamoto University, the Japan Science and Technology Agency and EU GENE, which was absorbed by Trans Genic as of July 1, the company filed application for patents for the mice.

Trans Genic expects that the knockout mice will play a role in the process of screening and assessing candidate compounds for neovascularization with the aim of contributing to drug development.

Posted under Asia, Discoveries, Innovations and Patents | Comments Off

MerLion teams up with UK firm in anti-cancer drugs research

Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 September 2005 12:22 Written by admin Tuesday, 20 September 2005 12:22

SINGAPORE : A Singapore-based drug discovery company, MerLion Pharmaceuticals, and UK’s Cancer Research Technology (CRT) are teaming up to identify new anti-cancer drugs from natural product chemistry.

Under the collaboration, MerLion will screen their natural compound collection against high throughput screens developed by scientists at CRT.

The aim is to isolate new therapeutic compounds against validated cancer targets.

Targets will be selected from research carried out by Cancer Research in the UK and CRT’s other partners.

MerLion and CRT will work closely throughout the target selection and screening process.

The results of the collaboration will be jointly owned.

The tie-up is the first since the Joint Statement on Science, Engineering and Technology signed by Prime Ministers Lee Hsien Loong and Tony Blair two months ago.

- CNA /ls

Posted under Asia, Cancer Research, Collaborations, Europe | Comments Off

Cerenis Therapeutics Announces License Agreement with Nippon Chemiphar to Develop New Therapies Based on PPAR Delta Agonists

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 August 2005 06:44 Written by admin Tuesday, 30 August 2005 06:44

ANN ARBOR, Mich. & TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 30, 2005–Cerenis Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company working to develop novel HDL therapies, has entered into a license agreement with Nippon Chemiphar Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:4539), to develop new small molecule therapies based on PPAR (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor) delta agonists.

PPAR delta agonists have been shown to play a role in elevating levels of HDL, also known as the body’s “good cholesterol.” Under the terms of the agreement, Cerenis will have access to a broad range of PPAR delta agonists for use in research and development of HDL therapies with the potential to help reduce cholesterol buildup through a natural process known as reverse lipid transport.

“PPAR delta agonists represent a very promising area of research that could lead to novel oral HDL therapies in the years ahead. This agreement positions Cerenis to move forward in this area of research, which represents an important complement to our other HDL-focused research and product development initiatives,” said Dr. Jean-Louis Dasseux, president and chief executive officer, Cerenis Therapeutics.

“We anticipate close collaboration between the companies and are looking forward to the prospect of identifying and developing first in class small molecule HDL therapies from our patented compounds,” said Mr. Kazushiro Yamaguchi, president and chief executive officer, Nippon Chemiphar.

Nippon Chemiphar will retain development and marketing rights in Asia for any new product candidates developed through this licensing agreement. Cerenis will be granted exclusive development and commercialization rights in the United States, Europe and other markets outside Asia. Cerenis will make milestone payments of up to US$30 million to Chemiphar during the research and development stage and will make royalty payments based on sales, after marketing.

About Cerenis Therapeutics

Cerenis Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of breakthrough HDL-related therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Cerenis is pursuing a range of HDL product candidates that reflect breakthrough research in HDL therapy and significant commercial opportunities in the treatment of atherosclerosis. The Cerenis management team includes world leaders in HDL therapy research and development. The company has operations in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Toulouse, France. For further information please visit the company website at: www.cerenis.com.

About Nippon Chemiphar Co., Ltd.

Nippon Chemiphar is a Japanese pharmaceutical company listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The company develops and markets new chemical entities (NCEs) as NSAID and antihypertensives. The company focuses on drug discovery in a number of the fields, including orthopedics and urology, and is interested in working with other pharmaceutical companies to accelerate development and commercialization. With its depth of expertise in drug discovery, Chemiphar strategically focuses on identifying drug leads for further development. Chemiphar’s current R&D is focused on analgesics, therapies for life-style diseases, and hyperuricemia, which is recognized as an increasingly important clinical condition in Japan. With a view to accelerating commercialization, Chemiphar is speeding up development and candidate screening of its compounds, and their licensing overseas. Given its venture-based drug research, Chemiphar is seeks licensing opportunities so that it might more quickly bring its pharmaceuticals to the global market. For further information, please visit: http://www.chemiphar.co.jp/.

Posted under Asia, Collaborations, North America, Press Releases | Comments Off

SA, India, Brazil in resource deal

Last Updated on Thursday, 18 August 2005 03:51 Written by admin Thursday, 18 August 2005 03:51

Cape Biotech is investigating a possible bio-prospecting partnership which would enable South Africa, Brazil and India to share each other’s resources in order to capitalize on their rich biodiversity.

Bio-prospecting is the search for valuable compounds in nature – plants, animals or micro-organisms – that can assist in the development of new drugs or industrial products.

Dr Mark Fyvie, Managing Director of Cape Biotech recently attended an India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) trade delegation where he met with his counterparts in New Delhi, and where a bio-prospecting memorandum of understanding was signed. Fyvie believes the three countries have “huge tracts of biodiversity” that can benefit each other, particularly sharing and collaborating on information platforms.

Biotechnology is one of the core focus areas of the IBSA agreement and representatives from government and industry met to discuss, among other issues, setting up tangible collaborations in the areas of functional genomics and high throughput biology.

“We are starting off very pragmatically and see this as a process that will gradually align the biodiversity objectives of the three countries,” he said.

Fyvie adds that they would like to create the ability for a powerful screening presence for the three countries, thereby enabling access to samples that are being poorly managed.

“This partnership is an agreement to work together going forward and is one of a number of areas of co-operation, where we could optimally exploit value from biodiversity and potentially embark on a joint bio-diversity project,” he says.

“The rollout is envisaged in three stages: sharing and learning, exchanging technologies and technology transfer, and eventually shared facilities among the three countries, but this will only be potentially possible once the alignment of national policies has begun.”

Fyvie was very impressed with India’s investment in skills development.

“There are many highly skilled people in India, which has contributed enormously to the country’s success in the biotech industry. The message is that you cannot over-invest in skills. This coupled with the strong IT industry, as biotech is becoming more information rich, will sustain the future expansion of the biotech sector of the Indian economy.”

Where South Africa is at an “advantage” says Fyvie, is that our infrastructure is better developed, our business culture is more westernised and the language barrier is less of an issue for foreign investors.

“What we don’t have is as big a local market to justify working on and developing expensive products like India, and this is probably why they are the 12th largest biotechnology entity in the world.” he said.

Fyvie hopes that this cooperative effort will allow all three countries to maximize their biodiversity by capitalising on each country’s areas of strength and experience.

Cape Biotech is the Western Cape-based Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centre (Bric) an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology.

I-Net Bridge

Posted under Africa, Asia, Collaborations, Natural Products, South America | Comments Off

3rd Annual Congress of International Drug Discovery

Last Updated on Thursday, 18 August 2005 01:02 Written by admin Thursday, 18 August 2005 01:02

WHTSâ€™ Annual Congress of International Drug Discovery Science and Technology (IDDST) Organizing Committee is proud to present:

3rd Annual Congress of International Drug Discovery
Science and Technology
Oct. 28-30, Shanghai, China, 2005;
Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Dalian, China, 2005
Website

PRESENT YOUR EXPERTISE IN FRONT OF THIS ELITE AUDIENCE
WITH A 20-MINUTE WORKSHOP

Corporate and Institution Sponsors:
Shanghai Municipal Peopleâ€™s Government
World High Technology Society
Shanghai Personnel Information Center
China International Talent Exchange Foundation
Dalian BIT Co., Ltd., Links, Diversa, Qiagen,
Invitrogen, Angilent
Waters, GE, Amersham (GE)
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Eli Lilly & Company(China)
China Foreign Expert Bureau
Journal of China Biotechnology
Medical World Magazine
Biotech World
More are joining us.

Present in front of 2000+ prospects with titles of:
Executives or Directors of pharmaceutical Industries, Research Scientists in Drug Discovery, Regulatory Personnel and Intellectual Property Officers, Pharma and Biotech Research Managers, Research Chemists and Biologist, computational Researchers, Policy Makers at Drug Administration Organization. Directors, Senior Scientists, Entrepreneur, Professors, Graduate Students, and Senior Researchers in System Biology and Functional Genomics, Biomarkers, Bio-Chips, New tools for target validations, New Mechanism, Business Aspect of Drug Discovery, Structure Based Drug Designs, New Finding in Drug Search, Nature Products and Drug Discovery, Predictive Toxicology/ADMET, New Delivery systems, Nanotech in Drug Discovery, Clinical studies and regulation issues etc and moreâ€¦

*Workshops produce results… don’t miss out!*
The Highlights of the congress:
- Scientific and Technological Presentation
- Networking with 1000+ attendees
- 35 Product / Technology Exhibition
- Meet the leading Scientists at Special Topics
- New Deal Making and News Release
- Workshop for Business Development and Round Table Negotiation

View 2004 Attendee Profiles
View Conference Agenda

For more information about sponsorship and exhibit opportunities
Contacts:
Ms. Annie Sun
Attendee and Exhibition Coordinator
26 Gaoneng St. R405
Dalian Hightech Zone
Dalian, LN 116025, China
Tel: 0086-411-84799609
Fax: 0086-411-84799606
Email: annie@whts.org

Ms. Emily Liu
Media and Advertisement Coordinator
26 Gaoneng St. R402
Dalian Hightech Zone
Dalian, LN 116025, China
Tel: 0086-411-84799616
Fax: 0086-411-84799629
Email: emily@whts.org

Posted under Asia, Asia | Comments Off

The BioSciences Group of Fujitsu Introduces CELLINJECTOR(TM) Automated Microinjection System

Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 August 2005 12:58 Written by admin Wednesday, 10 August 2005 12:58

WESTWOOD, Mass., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ — The BioSciences Group of Fujitsu
Computer Systems today announced that it has developed an automated
microinjection system called CELLINJECTOR, to enable very large-scale direct
injection of agents through cell membranes for biochemical research.
The CELLINJECTOR system is a high-throughput, efficient, automated method
for directly injecting a large number of cells. CELLINJECTOR is computer-
controlled, so operators do not need months or years of injection training to
perform accurate cellular injections.
According to Dr. Michael J. McManus, vice president for business
development of the BioSciences Group, “CELLINJECTOR was developed to overcome
the challenges scientists face using cell-based screening techniques to learn
more about the intracellular activity of chemical compounds, therapeutic
proteins, siRNA agents and other structures of interest. Understanding exactly
how a structure behaves in situ is often far more useful than in silico or in
vitro experiments. By placing an agent directly in a cell, the researcher can
observe the activity of the agent at the sub-cellular level to determine what
cellular structures are affected, and how.”
He added, “To date, the main obstacle for drug researchers has been the
difficulty, labor-intensiveness and expense of performing cellular-level
screening on a large scale, which is increasingly becoming necessary to
biochemical research. The precision and automation of CELLINJECTOR vastly
improves the precision and volume of cell injections, easily performing
thousands of successful injections per day compared to hundreds done
manually.”
CELLINJECTOR is comprised of several components, including a glass
capillary, a moving X-Y platform, a perforated silicon chip, a digital camera,
a microscope and a computer controller. The computer instructs the X-Y
platform how to position the capillary at each cell membrane on the perforated
silicon chip and then to inject the cell. This process is repeated for each
cell on the chip.
The automatic nature of CELLINJECTOR makes it ideal to integrate cellular
injection into pre-existing robotic workflows. Robots used to handle, incubate
and analyze cell assays can easily be used with CELLINJECTOR, once they are
configured to incorporate the CELLINJECTOR process into the workflow.

About The BioSciences Group of Fujitsu Computer Systems
The BioSciences Group of Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation is an
established leader in creating innovative and reliable solutions for
experimental scientists. BioSciences Group solutions enable researchers to
make in silico predictions about leads, targets, and interactions, and to
validate these hypotheses experimentally. BioSciences Group offerings include
the CELLINJECTOR(TM) system for high-throughput, automated cellular injection,
the isS(TM) (in silico Screening) platform for large-scale docking and free
energy of binding simulations, and the CAChe(TM) suite of life sciences
predictive modeling and automated docking tools, for drug discovery lead-
generation. For more information, please see: us.fujitsu.com/biosciences

About Fujitsu Computer Systems
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Fujitsu Computer Systems is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) committed to the design,
development and delivery of advanced computer systems and managed services for
the business enterprise. The company offers a complete line of high-
performance mobile computers, scalable and reliable servers, storage, and
middleware as well as managed and professional services.
Fujitsu Computer Systems emphasizes leading-edge technology, exceptional
product quality and user comfort and productivity, as well as outstanding
customer service. More information on Fujitsu Computer Systems is available
at: us.fujitsu.com/computers

About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and communications
solutions for the global marketplace. Pace-setting device technologies, highly
reliable computing and communications products, and a worldwide corps of
systems and services experts uniquely position Fujitsu to deliver
comprehensive solutions that open up infinite possibilities for its customers’
success. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported
consolidated revenues of 4.7 trillion yen (US$44.5 billion) for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2005. For more information, please see: http://www.fujitsu.com

NOTE: Fujitsu, the Fujitsu logo, CELLINJECTOR, isS, and CAChe are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Fujitsu Limited in the United States
and other countries. All other trademarks and product names are the property
of their respective owners.

The statements provided herein are for informational purposes only and may
be amended or altered by Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation without notice
or liability. Product description data represents Fujitsu design objectives
and is provided for comparative purposes; actual results may vary based on a
variety of factors. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

SOURCE Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation
Web Site: http://www.fujitsu.com

Posted under Asia, New Products, North America, Press Releases | Comments Off

Biotech Blooms in China

Last Updated on Monday, 1 August 2005 01:16 Written by admin Monday, 1 August 2005 01:16

Biotech in China may still be in its infancy, but with Beijing pushing hard, the industry could grow up quickly.
August 1, 2005 Print Issue

In its sleek, modern lab facilities in the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone on the outskirts of Shanghai, WuXi PharmaTech may have discovered a cure for the ailing Chinese biotechnology sector: outsourcing.

While its robust IT and telecommunications industries have grabbed headlines and drawn billions of dollars in foreign and domestic investment, Chinaâ€™s biotech success stories have been few and far between. Investors have been decidedly wary. The high costs, low success rates, and long time horizons associated with drug discovery dull any allure that Chinaâ€™s fast-growing domestic drug market holds out and, for many investors, outweigh any cost savings that development and production in China might yield.

more…

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15 Anti-SARS Drugs Identified By China-Europe Team of Researchers

Last Updated on Sunday, 3 July 2005 01:23 Written by admin Sunday, 3 July 2005 01:23

SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) has been a major killer in the last two years in July 2003; SARS had killed 774 people worldwide and infected a further 8,000. A collaborative group of researchers from China, Germany, Denmark and Poland have spent the past year screening more than 8,000 existing drugs to find those that could combat SARS and now have identified 15 existing drugs that have the potential to kill the virus that causes SARS. This three-year research collaboration is funded by the European Commission and was launched in 2004 to identify 50 compounds that have the potential to treat SARS.

A paper published last month by the group in the Journal of Virology showed one such compound called Cinanserin can stop the SARS virus from replicating. Interestingly cinanserin, was approved in the United States for clinical use in the 1960s to treat schizophrenia and other psychopathic diseases. Shen one of the researchers said that: â€˜cinanserin could not form a SARS treatment on its own, but would need to be used in combination with other drugsâ€™. As it is an old safe and cheap drug, it could be used widely for SARS patients in the developing world.

China is also working on vaccines against SARS epidemics. The first phase trials have already been completed in December and the second phase is to start soon as per a news release on 29 June.

Source: SciDev.Net

Posted under Asia, Collaborations, Europe, Research Projects | Comments Off

China-Europe team identifies 15 anti-SARS drugs

Last Updated on Saturday, 2 July 2005 02:04 Written by admin Saturday, 2 July 2005 02:04

Source: SciDev.Net

[BEIJING] Chinese and European scientists have identified 15 existing drugs that have the potential to kill the virus that causes SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

One of the compounds, cinanserin, was approved in the United States for clinical use in the 1960s to treat schizophrenia and other psychopathic diseases.

The researchers, a collaborative group from China, Germany, Denmark and Poland have spent the past year screening more than 8,000 existing drugs to find those that could combat SARS.

Last month, they published a paper in the Journal of Virology showing that cinanserin can stop the SARS virus from replicating.

Since neither cinanserin nor the other compounds have been tested against SARS in animals or people, it is too early to say whether they could be developed as SARS treatments, says Shen Xu, a scientist at Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and a member of the team that identified the compounds.

But Shen adds that it does mean cinanserin could be used as an emergency treatment in future SARS outbreaks.

The researchers showed that the compound works against SARS by blocking one of the virus’s enzymes, called 3CLpro. Over the past few years, it has emerged that 3CLpro plays a crucial role in the virus’s life cycle, making it one of the most promising targets for anti-SARS drugs.

Shen adds that cinanserin could not form a SARS treatment on its own, but would need to be used in combination with other drugs.

He suggests that since it is an old drug, that is both safe and cheap, cinanserin could be used widely for SARS patients in the developing world.

The three-year research collaboration, which is funded by the European Commission, was launched in 2004 to identify 50 compounds that have the potential to treat SARS.

According to Yang Huanming, director of the Beijing Institute of Genomics, says the project does not aim to develop the potential compounds into medicines. Instead, he says, the compounds could be offered to pharmaceutical firms to develop.

Before ebbing away in July 2003, SARS had killed 774 people worldwide and infected a further 8,000.

China is also working on methods to prevent new SARS epidemics. On 29 June, Chinese media reported that the second phase of clinical trials of a Chinese SARS vaccine will begin soon.

The first phase trials were completed in December

Posted under Asia, Discoveries, Innovations and Patents, Drug-Like Compounds, Research Projects | Comments Off

Traditional medicines make delicate advance

Last Updated on Thursday, 7 July 2005 11:57 Written by admin Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:55

An indigenous Chinese herb similar to the popular garden sage in the West has been used to treat a variety of diseases since time immemorial.

It is called danshen, or Salvia miltiorrhiza in Latin.

Despite its popularity, Xuan Lijiang, a scientist at Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, did not expect his research would herald a new wave in the study of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at the molecular level, when he took it up 13 years ago.

His assignment, along with his colleagues, was to study the chemical ingredients of the herbal plant.

A little more than a decade on, Xuan has been recognized for his contributions to the creation of an innovative drug that is licensed by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).

The drug, called Depsides salts and extracted from the Chinese sage danshen, has also reportedly led dozens of institutes and pharmaceutical firms to launch research programmes to find effective molecules from other traditional medicines.

more…

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More plant species for bio-prospecting programme

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 June 2005 05:37 Written by admin Thursday, 16 June 2005 05:37

BY JACK WONG

KUCHING: More minority groups are expected to contribute plant species known to have medicinal value to the Sarawak Biodiversity Centreâ€™s bio-prospecting programme.

Those expected to do so in the next few months include the Bisayas from Limbang, Kayan-Kenyahs from Sungai Asap, Melanaus from the Mukah division and Ibans from Selangau and Betong.

State Planning and Resource Management Minister Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the centre had met with leaders of these groups on taking part in its traditional knowledge documentation programme.

â€œThe centre already has a collection of some 9,000 plant extracts in its natural product library from over 600 plant species from the local communities,â€ he told the state assembly during question time yesterday.

These species were contributed by the Bidayuhs, Penans, Kelabits, Lun Bawang and Malays from the various regions.

Awang Tengah said the centreâ€™s two laboratories started carrying out extraction of plant samples and early-stage screening for bioactive compounds 16 months ago.

These facilities, he added, could enable research officers to conduct preliminary scr-eening for potential anti-cancer compounds.

He said five more laboratories, expected to be ready in three monthsâ€™ time, would enhance the centreâ€™s capabilities in the chemical analysis of plants for the development of various therapies, microbial prospecting for potential antibiotics and industrial enzymes, DNA sequencing of organisms and plant tissue culture and bioinformatics.

â€œCurrently, five research officers are being trained by our Japanese partners (biotech company Nimura Genetic Solutions) in various techniques in microbial prospecting,â€ he added.

Awang Tengah said the state had to build up a critical mass of scientific expertise, to have access to research findings and good research partners to jumpstart its biotech initiative.

â€œWhen the new laboratories are fully commissioned and the research team adequately trained, the centre will be on track to bring in some discoveries,â€ he added.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Ministerâ€™s Department (human resources and training) Datin Fatimah Abdullah told the assembly more graduates in Sarawak were unemployed as they were choosy about jobs.

Statistics, she said, showed that unemployed graduates who were actively job-hunting rose from 3,393 in 2001 to 3,708 in 2002 and 4,744 in 2003, making up close to 13% of the total number of unemployed people in 2003.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said the Sarawak Skills Development Centre had a nine-month training programme for unemployed graduates in food processing and packaging, plantation management and deep-sea fishing.

Malaysia Star – Petaling Jaya,Malaysia

Posted under Asia, Research Projects | Comments Off

Medicinal chemistry: Key to safe medicines

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 June 2005 11:02 Written by admin Thursday, 16 June 2005 11:02

One of the most important issues of discovery medicinal chemistry today is the continuing need for excellent synthetic chemists, feel Dr Ramaiah Muthyala and Dr Akella Venkateswarlu

Medicinal chemistry represents the design and discovery of new compounds that are suitable for use as drugs. The discovery of a new drug is not confined to include design and synthesis, but also the development of testing methods and procedures needed to establish how a substance operates in the body and its suitability for use as a drug. Drug discovery may also require fundamental research into the biological and chemical nature of the disease state.

Medicinal chemistry attempts to provide a framework for a variety of topics. In other words, a medicinal chemist has his/her own languageâ€”therapeutic index, hits, leads, SAR, QSAR, logP, receptors, ligands, pharmacophore, toxicophore, therapeutic window, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics etcâ€”which is foreign or less familiar, to most pure synthetic organic chemists.

In recent years, new scientific advancements in synthetic methodologies and novel technologies have revolutionised the practice of synthetic organic chemistry.

Drug design has received a big boost from disciplines such as combinatorial chemistry, automated synthesis and compound purification and identification. In addition, with the introduction of high-throughput screening, many targets are being assayed and many hits being evaluated simultaneously.

However, success in this arena still requires skilled medicinal chemists who make correct choices about which â€˜hitsâ€™ are likely to play out as true â€˜leadâ€™ structures. These choices are often made with insights gleaned from interactions with computational chemists, structural biologists and a host of other disciplines. Even though the lead structure will have a long road ahead, it is expected that on the way it will meet a plethora of hurdles to survive to become a successful drug.

Those who are most proficient with computational tools have the advantage of delivering new drug candidates more quickly and at lower cost than their competitors. The systematic use of a wide range of computational tools facilitates and enhances the drug discovery process. Many tools are available. For example 2D or 3D library screening for lead compounds, predicting the properties of drug-like molecule, docking experiments, virtual screening etc. The synthetic chemists and medicinal chemists should be familiar with all these tools.

Full article