Alliance to Develop Anti-Infective Drugs

n alliance focused on identifying natural products with potential utility as anti-infective drugs has been announced by Genome Therapeutics (Waltham, MA, USA) and MerLion Pharmaceuticals (Singapore).

The collaborators will combine the validated antibacterial drug targets developed by Genome Therapeutics with the extensive natural product libraries of MerLion to select compounds for future clinical development. A joint research committee, comprised of members from both companies, will monitor and direct the course of the research. Both companies retain rights for lead optimization, clinical development, and commercialization of lead candidates identified during the collaboration.

MerLion possesses one of the largest and most diverse natural product libraries available for screening. These contain naturally occurring compounds that have the ability to inhibit the growth of many disease-causing microbes. Genome Therapeutics has built an extensive target protein portfolio by using its genomics expertise to identify genes essential for the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other medically important pathogens.

"The collaboration with MerLion Pharma, a leader in natural product chemistry and screening is a strategic fit for Genome Therapeutics' capabilities in discovering and profiling broad-spectrum antibacterial drug candidates from validated genomic targets,” said Richard Labaudiniere, Ph.D., senior vice president, R&D, Genome Therapeutics.





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