OXFORD GLYCOSCIENCES CHOOSES CAMBRIDGE COMBINATORIAL TO EXPAND DRUG DISCOVERY PROGRAMME
Cambridge Combinatorial Limited, the combinatorial chemistry company specialising in the design, production and supply of compounds for the drug discovery industry, has won its first major contract since its launch earlier this year. Under a collaborative agreement, between its founding shareholder, Oxford Molecular Group, and Dainippon Pharmaceuticals of Japan, Cambridge Combinatorial will supply the Japanese company with novel, targeted combinatorial libraries and specialist consultancy services.
The agreement brings together Cambridge Combinatorial and Oxford Molecular in their first joint venture. The research programme will focus on a selected biological target for which Cambridge Combinatorial will synthesise novel targeted libraries of compounds for screening, designed by Oxford Molecular using their proprietary molecular modelling techniques. Cambridge Combinatorial will also supply consultancy services to Dainippon to allow them to establish their own combinatorial chemistry unit. The programme will extend for a minimum period of one year and involves the payment of an undisclosed initial sum, ongoing research fees and milestone payments, plus royalties from any compounds which ultimately make it to the market.
Dr Allan Marchington, Chief Executive of Cambridge Combinatorial, said:
"We are delighted to have won our first major contract since our establishment earlier this year, and to have done so with such a leading, prestigious company. It is a vote of confidence in what I believe is a unique offering of Cambridge Combinatorial's proven expertise in medicinal chemistry and combinatorial techniques combined with the molecular modelling technology of our partner, Oxford Molecular. We remain dedicated to becoming the leading provider of combinatorial chemistry services to the biopharmaceutical industry and a deal of this calibre is an important step in that direction."