Under the alliance, Cellular Genomics (CGI) has been applying its proprietary chemical genetics analog sensitive kinase (ASKA) technology to a number of target kinases selected by Serono. The development of the in vivo models entitles CGI to a milestone performance payment.
CGI’s novel approach to kinases is based on the discovery of ASKAs, which are genetically modified kinases that retain all the functions of normal kinases, and can be potently and specifically inhibited by a proprietary small molecule analog inhibitor.
The technology has been utilized to develop an unprecedented in vivo model for kinase drug discovery that makes it possible to perform pharmaceutically relevant dose- and time-dependent, reversible in vivo inhibition of kinases.
This provides ASKA with strong competitive advantages in multiple aspects of kinase drug discovery, including target validation, therapeutic index determination, drug safety evaluation, identification of pharmacodynamic markers to benchmark lead candidates, and biomarker discovery.
“We are pleased to have achieved this important milestone in our collaboration with Serono,” said Dr Louis Matis, CGI’s president and CEO. “To date, we and our partners have now successfully produced 12 in vivo ASKA models spanning multiple kinase families and addressing a broad range of potential clinical indications.”