A unique computer technology for the accelerated discovery of drugs that “shape-shift” proteins refocuses and expands a U.S. Drug Discovery company

Narrative

A computer technology has been invented to accelerate drug discovery. It predicts locations in disease-associated biomolecules where drug molecules could bind, induce shape changes, and thereby bring the activity of the biomolecule under control. A U.S. drug discovery company, Serometrix, has exclusively licensed this technology and incorporated it within their core discovery process. The impact upon them has been:
• A step change in their technical approach towards small molecule drug discovery,
• Attraction of $227k venture capital funding for the new company direction,
• Expansion of workforce (four new personnel by end of 2013),
• “Shaving years off” their discovery development programme,
• Promising new drug leads,
• Planned reduction of early trial compounds “from millions to hundreds”.

Impact status	Open
Category of impact	Economic and commerce, Health and welfare - new products, guidelines and services
Impact level	Adoption