Strategic Alliances
Australia is fortunate to have internationally renowned biology research teams
in areas of basic biology related to asthma, cancer, diabetes and viral infection,
as well as the emerging technology of structural biology.
Structural biology is a powerful alternative to traditional screening methods
for identifying leads for drug discovery. The technology bombards protein crystals
with x-ray beams to determine the three-dimensional structure of proteins. These extremely precise images of the site in a protein where drugs can bind
help chemists design their new compounds with some confidence before actual synthesis. This is expected to significantly reduce the time currently taken to bring new
therapies to patients.
Capitalising on the promise of this emerging field, Pharmaxis has entered into
two collaborations with structural biology groups in Sydney and Melbourne.
University of Sydney: We were awarded funding from the Australian government to undertake a three-year
study to crystallise and determine the three-dimensional structure of human SSAO/VAP-1
bound to inhibitors of the enzyme. This information can be used to guide drug discovery projects aimed at inhibiting
this protein.
CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Melbourne: Pharmaxis and CSIRO have entered into the first phase of an agreement to determine
the three-dimensional structures of a large number of proteins involved in the
inflammatory process. Proteins will be studied to determine which ones offer the best prospect for
crystallisation and, of these, which ones will be best suited for a lead discovery
and optimisation campaign. CSIRO and Pharmaxis will determine whether to move to a second drug discovery
agreement after receiving the first phase results.
