Gotham, Mercachem create molecule library for RNA-modifying drug discovery

22-Jul-2019 - Last updated on 22-Jul-2019 at 13:56 GMT

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A collaboration between Mercachem and Gotham leads to the generation of a molecule library, expected to enable new discovery opportunities in the epitranscriptomic targets space.

Gotham Therapeutics, a biotechnology development company focused on RNA-modifying proteins, announced the creation of the molecule library, as a result of a collaboration with Mercachem, a contract research organization (CRO) offering medicinal chemistry and early process research services.

The library enables researchers to identify small-molecule master keys able to unlock novel targets and address the specific pharmacophoric features that this target family shares, according to the CSO of Gotham, Gerhard Müller.

The partners have produced more than 2,000 analogs and over 80 distinct chemotypes with increased affinity, comprising several structures for binding to epitranscriptomic targets, whilst demonstrating and utilizing cross-target synergies.

In addition, the library will enable the companies to provide hit generation and expand its hit-to-lead in the epitranscriptomic target space to accelerate Gotham’s current lead program.

“The library will be repeatedly explored as we continue our collaboration with Mercachem in all future pipeline projects along the hit-to-lead candidate trajectory,” Müller said in a statement.

Frank Leemhuis, managing director of Mercachem, commented on his side: “We look forward to seeing the progress Gotham aims to make in the epitranscriptomic space with the assets and knowhow gleaned as part of our collaboration.”