The joint team is focused on the discovery of efficacious inhibitors of PknB, which is essential for the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB).
Schrödinger’s computational platform has led the team to highly potent inhibitors with promising pharmacokinetic properties, after only a handful of design and optimization cycles. The next phase of the collaboration will involve in vivo efficacy studies and lead optimization to inform selection of a development candidate.
TB Alliance, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the discovery, development, and delivery of new, faster-acting TB drugs, brings a deep expertise in TB biology and drug development to the collaboration. Schrödinger, a privately held company revolutionizing drug discovery through advanced molecular simulations, brings its industry-leading platform and successful track record in drug discovery across a range of indications.
Schrödinger president and CEO Ramy Farid said: “Tuberculosis is the leading cause of infectious disease death worldwide, yet it’s long been neglected in drug discovery. We’re proud to team up with a global leader in TB research to accelerate the development of better medicines for millions of patients.”
“The pipeline for new TB treatments demands continuous innovation,” said Mel Spigelman, president and CEO of TB Alliance.
“By expanding our strong partnership with Schrödinger, we will move more quickly to develop new drug compounds that can make an impact on the TB epidemic. People with TB deserve affordable, safe, fast, and effective cures. We are determined to deliver.”
Schrödinger is a leading provider of advanced molecular simulations and enterprise software solutions that accelerate and increase the efficiency of drug discovery and materials design.
Schrödinger has a growing pipeline of early-stage assets and has co-founded leading biotech companies, including Nimbus Therapeutics and Morphic Therapeutic.
TB Alliance is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding faster-acting and affordable drug regimens to fight tuberculosis (TB). Through innovative science and with partners around the globe, we aim to ensure equitable access to faster, better TB cures that will advance global health and prosperity.
Source: Company Press Release