US-based biotechnology firm DiCE Molecules has entered a multi-year research collaboration with Genentech for the discovery and development of new small molecules against various targets.
The firms plan to leverage DiCE’s technology platform that uses directed chemical evolution to select and optimise low molecular weight compounds against vital pharmaceutical targets, including protein-protein interfaces.
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While the complete financial details have not been divulged, the agreement involves an upfront payment to DiCE.
Under the agreement, the firm will also be eligible for research, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments.
DiCE Molecules president and CEO Kevin Judice said: “Genentech is a recognised leader in biotechnology innovation, including in small molecule research and development.
“We are incredibly pleased to work with Genentech and believe this collaboration speaks to the potential of our technology to address previously intractable, but very important targets with novel chemical matter.”
The firm’s technology is designed to facilitate the application of full genetic algorithm to discover small-molecule drug candidates.
Claimed to enhance the prevalence of binding compounds after each round of screening, the DiCE Router enables easy selection of the molecules for increased potency, selectivity, and drug-like characteristics by testing with proprietary assays.
Genentech Partnering senior vice-president and global head James Sabry said: “DiCE’s unique technology naturally complements Genentech’s efforts in small-molecule drug discovery and offers the potential to unlock some of the most challenging targets, including those that were once thought to be undruggable.”
