Small molecule compounds address drug targets

BioImage has announced that it has signed a collaborative agreement with Lexicon Genetics with the aim of identifying small molecules that address selected proprietary drug targets from Lexicon's pipeline of in vivo validated drug targets. Lexicon will provide validated drug targets, as well as compound libraries and medicinal chemistry expertise.

BioImage will build high throughput, cell-based Redistribution assays against these targets and screen to identify compounds with a novel mode of action.

The number of targets and the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"The opportunity to apply our Redistribution screening technologies to Lexicon's superior in vivo validated drug targets is further evidence of the industry's desire for novel and proprietary screening methods that, simultaneously, contribute to a more efficient drug discovery process," said Patrik Dahlén, chief executive officer of BioImage.

"Our Redistribution technologies are able to identify compounds that specifically modulate protein translocation, rather than the enzymatic activity.

We believe compounds with this novel mode of action will show unprecedented selectivity and, thereby, fewer side effects compared to enzyme inhibitors identified by conventional screening methods." "BioImage's novel and proprietary drug screening technologies provide Lexicon with a unique opportunity to pursue a paradigm beyond what is possible with traditional screening capabilities and extract greater value from our in vivo validated drug targets as we move further downstream with our drug discovery programs," said Arthur Sands, president and chief executive officer of Lexicon.

"In addition, our high-quality, pharmaceutically-relevant compounds and expertise in developing compounds with pharmaceutical-like attributes give us a very solid basis from which to develop and identify therapeutically valuable small molecule compounds."