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Kalimuthu S, Alshanta OA, Krishnamoorthy AL, Pudipeddi A, Solomon AP, McLean W, Leung YY, Ramage G, Neelakantan P. Small molecule based anti-virulence approaches against Candida albicans infections. Crit Rev Microbiol 2022; 48:743-769. [PMID: 35232325 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.2025337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are considered "silent killers" due to the difficulty of, and delays in diagnosis of infections and lack of effective antifungals. This challenge is compounded by the fact that being eukaryotes, fungi share several similarities with human cellular targets, creating obstacles to drug discovery. Candida albicans, a ubiquitous microbe in the human body is well-known for its role as an opportunistic pathogen in immunosuppressed people. Significantly, C. albicans is resistant to all the three classes of antifungals that are currently clinically available. Over the past few years, a paradigm shift has been recommended in the management of C. albicans infections, wherein anti-virulence strategies are considered an alternative to the discovery of new antimycotics. Small molecules, with a molecular weight <900 Daltons, can easily permeate the cell membrane and modulate the signal transduction pathways to elicit desired virulence inhibitory actions against pathogens. This review dissects in-depth, the discoveries that have been made with small-molecule anti-virulence approaches to tackle C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Om Alkhir Alshanta
- Glasgow Endodontology Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow, UK
| | - Akshaya Lakshmi Krishnamoorthy
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Quorum Sensing Laboratory, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, India
| | - Akhila Pudipeddi
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Adline Princy Solomon
- Quorum Sensing Laboratory, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, India
| | - William McLean
- Glasgow Endodontology Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow, UK
| | - Yiu Yan Leung
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gordon Ramage
- Glasgow Endodontology Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow, UK
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Johnson-Weaver BT, Choi HW, Yang H, Granek JA, Chan C, Abraham SN, Staats HF. Nasal Immunization With Small Molecule Mast Cell Activators Enhance Immunity to Co-Administered Subunit Immunogens. Front Immunol 2021; 12:730346. [PMID: 34566991 PMCID: PMC8461742 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.730346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mast cell activators are a novel class of mucosal vaccine adjuvants. The polymeric compound, Compound 48/80 (C48/80), and cationic peptide, Mastoparan 7 (M7) are mast cell activators that provide adjuvant activity when administered by the nasal route. However, small molecule mast cell activators may be a more cost-efficient adjuvant alternative that is easily synthesized with high purity compared to M7 or C48/80. To identify novel mast cell activating compounds that could be evaluated for mucosal vaccine adjuvant activity, we employed high-throughput screening to assess over 55,000 small molecules for mast cell degranulation activity. Fifteen mast cell activating compounds were down-selected to five compounds based on in vitro immune activation activities including cytokine production and cellular cytotoxicity, synthesis feasibility, and selection for functional diversity. These small molecule mast cell activators were evaluated for in vivo adjuvant activity and induction of protective immunity against West Nile Virus infection in BALB/c mice when combined with West Nile Virus envelope domain III (EDIII) protein in a nasal vaccine. We found that three of the five mast cell activators, ST101036, ST048871, and R529877, evoked high levels of EDIII-specific antibody and conferred comparable levels of protection against WNV challenge. The level of protection provided by these small molecule mast cell activators was comparable to the protection evoked by M7 (67%) but markedly higher than the levels seen with mice immunized with EDIII alone (no adjuvant 33%). Thus, novel small molecule mast cell activators identified by high throughput screening are as efficacious as previously described mast cell activators when used as nasal vaccine adjuvants and represent next-generation mast cell activators for evaluation in mucosal vaccine studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hae Woong Choi
- Pathology Department, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Hang Yang
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Department, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Josh A. Granek
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Department, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Cliburn Chan
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Department, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Soman N. Abraham
- Pathology Department, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Herman F. Staats
- Pathology Department, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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Srivastava V, Deblais L, Kathayat D, Rotondo F, Helmy YA, Miller SA, Rajashekara G. Novel Small Molecule Growth Inhibitors of Xanthomonas spp. Causing Bacterial Spot of Tomato. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2021; 111:940-953. [PMID: 34311554 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-08-20-0341-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial spot (BS) of tomato, caused by Xanthomonas gardneri, X. perforans, X. vesicatoria, and X. euvesicatoria, is difficult to control because of the high prevalence of copper- and streptomycin-resistant strains and the lack of resistance cultivars and effective bactericides. The objective of this study was to identify novel growth inhibitors of BS-causing Xanthomonas (BS-X) species by using small molecules (SM; n = 4,182). Several SMs (X1, X2, X5, X9, X12, and X16) completely inhibited the growth of BS-X isolates (n = 68 X. gardneri, 55 X. perforans, 4 X. vesicatoria, and 32 X. euvesicatoria) at ≥12.5 µM by disrupting Xanthomonas cell integrity through weakening of the cell membrane and formation of pores. These SMs were also effective against biofilm-embedded, copper- and streptomycin-resistant Xanthomonas strains while having minimal impact on other plant pathogenic (n = 20) and beneficial bacteria (n = 12). Furthermore, these SMs displayed equivalent antimicrobial activity against BS-X in seeds and X. gardneri in seedlings compared with conventional control methods (copper sulfate and streptomycin) at similar concentrations while having no detectable toxicity to tomato tissues. SMs X2, X5, and X12 reduced X. gardneri, X. perforans, X. vesicatoria, and X. euvesicatoria populations in artificially infested seeds ≤3.4-log CFU/seed 1 day postinfection (dpi) compared with the infested untreated control (P ≤ 0.05). SMs X1, X2, X5, and X12 reduced disease severity ≤72% and engineered bioluminescent X. gardneri populations ≤3.0-log CFU/plant in infected seedlings at 7 dpi compared with the infected untreated control (P ≤ 0.05). Additional studies are needed to increase the applicability of these SMs for BS management in tomato production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Srivastava
- Food Animal Health Research Program, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
| | - Loic Deblais
- Food Animal Health Research Program, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
| | - Dipak Kathayat
- Food Animal Health Research Program, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
| | - Francesca Rotondo
- Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
| | - Yosra A Helmy
- Food Animal Health Research Program, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
| | - Sally A Miller
- Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
| | - Gireesh Rajashekara
- Food Animal Health Research Program, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
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Emmerich CH, Gamboa LM, Hofmann MCJ, Bonin-Andresen M, Arbach O, Schendel P, Gerlach B, Hempel K, Bespalov A, Dirnagl U, Parnham MJ. Improving target assessment in biomedical research: the GOT-IT recommendations. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:64-81. [PMID: 33199880 PMCID: PMC7667479 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-0087-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Academic research plays a key role in identifying new drug targets, including understanding target biology and links between targets and disease states. To lead to new drugs, however, research must progress from purely academic exploration to the initiation of efforts to identify and test a drug candidate in clinical trials, which are typically conducted by the biopharma industry. This transition can be facilitated by a timely focus on target assessment aspects such as target-related safety issues, druggability and assayability, as well as the potential for target modulation to achieve differentiation from established therapies. Here, we present recommendations from the GOT-IT working group, which have been designed to support academic scientists and funders of translational research in identifying and prioritizing target assessment activities and in defining a critical path to reach scientific goals as well as goals related to licensing, partnering with industry or initiating clinical development programmes. Based on sets of guiding questions for different areas of target assessment, the GOT-IT framework is intended to stimulate academic scientists' awareness of factors that make translational research more robust and efficient, and to facilitate academia-industry collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lorena Martinez Gamboa
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- QUEST Center for Transforming Biomedical Research, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martine C J Hofmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch for Translational Medicine & Pharmacology TMP, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marc Bonin-Andresen
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olga Arbach
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- SPARK-Validation Fund, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pascal Schendel
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Katja Hempel
- Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Anton Bespalov
- PAASP GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
- Valdman Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ulrich Dirnagl
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- QUEST Center for Transforming Biomedical Research, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael J Parnham
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch for Translational Medicine & Pharmacology TMP, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry & Pharmacy, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Richa K, Karmaker R, Ao T, Longkumer N, Singha B, Sinha UB. Rationale for antioxidant interaction studies of 4-bromo-1-isothiocyanato-2-methylbenzene – An experimental and computational investigation. Chem Phys Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2020.137611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Gurubasavaraj PM, Charantimath JS. Recent Advances in Azole Based Scaffolds as Anticandidal Agents. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1570180815666180917125916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aim:The present review aims to explore the development of novel antifungal agents, such as pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, spectrum of activity, safety, toxicity and other aspects that involve drug-drug interactions of the azole antifungal agents.Introduction:Fungal infections in critically ill and immune-compromised patients are increasing at alarming rates, caused mainly by Candida albicans an opportunistic fungus. Despite antifungal annihilators like amphotericin B, azoles and caspofungin, these infections are enormously increasing. The unconventional increase in such patients is a challenging task for the management of antifungal infections especially Candidiasis. Moreover, problem of toxicity associated with antifungal drugs on hosts and rise of drug-resistance in primary and opportunistic fungal pathogens has obstructed the success of antifungal therapy.Conclusion:Hence, to conflict these problems new antifungal agents with advanced efficacy, new formulations of drug delivery and novel compounds which can interact with fungal virulence are developed and used to treat antifungal infections.
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Abraham MM, Denton RE, Harper RW, Scott WL, O'Donnell MJ, Durrant JD. Documenting and harnessing the biological potential of molecules in Distributed Drug Discovery (D3) virtual catalogs. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 90:909-918. [PMID: 28453915 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 04/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Virtual molecular catalogs have limited utility if member compounds are (i) difficult to synthesize or (ii) unlikely to have biological activity. The Distributed Drug Discovery (D3) program addresses the synthesis challenge by providing scientists with a free virtual D3 catalog of 73,024 easy-to-synthesize N-acyl unnatural α-amino acids, their methyl esters, and primary amides. The remaining challenge is to document and exploit the bioactivity potential of these compounds. In the current work, a search process is described that retrospectively identifies all virtual D3 compounds classified as bioactive hits in PubChem-cataloged experimental assays. The results provide insight into the broad range of drug-target classes amenable to inhibition and/or agonism by D3-accessible molecules. To encourage computer-aided drug discovery centered on these compounds, a publicly available virtual database of D3 molecules prepared for use with popular computer docking programs is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milata M Abraham
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ryan E Denton
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Richard W Harper
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - William L Scott
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Martin J O'Donnell
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jacob D Durrant
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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8
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Baek MC, Jung B, Kang H, Lee HS, Bae JS. Novel insight into drug repositioning: Methylthiouracil as a case in point. Pharmacol Res 2015; 99:185-93. [PMID: 26117428 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Drug repositioning refers to the development of existing drugs for new indications. These drugs may have (I) failed to show efficacy in late stage clinical trials without safety issues; (II) stalled in the development for commercial reasons; (III) passed the point of patent expiry; or (IV) are being explored in new geographic markets. Over the past decade, pressure on the pharmaceutical industry caused by the 'innovation gap' owing to rising development costs and stagnant product output have become major reasons for the growing interest in drug repositioning. Companies that offer a variety of broad platforms for identifying new indications have emerged; some have been successful in building their own pipelines of candidates with reduced risks and timelines associated with further clinical development. The business models and platforms offered by these companies will be validated if they are able to generate positive proof-of-concept clinical data for their repositioned compounds. This review describes the strategy of biomarker-guided repositioning of chemotherapeutic drugs for inflammation therapy, considering the repositioning of methylthiouracil (MTU), an antithyroid drug, as a potential anti-inflammatory reagent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon-Chang Baek
- Department of Molecular Medicine, CMRI, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 700-422, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeongjin Jung
- College of Pharmacy, CMRI, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyejin Kang
- College of Pharmacy, CMRI, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Shik Lee
- ABRC, CMRI, School of Life Sciences, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Sup Bae
- College of Pharmacy, CMRI, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
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Schultz Kirkegaard H, Valentin F. Academic drug discovery centres: the economic and organisational sustainability of an emerging model. Drug Discov Today 2014; 19:1699-1710. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Wong SSW, Samaranayake LP, Seneviratne CJ. In pursuit of the ideal antifungal agent for Candida infections: high-throughput screening of small molecules. Drug Discov Today 2014; 19:1721-1730. [PMID: 24952336 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Candida infections have created a great burden on the public healthcare sector. The situation is worsened by recent epidemiological changes. Furthermore, the current arsenal of antifungal agents is limited and associated with undesirable drawbacks. Therefore, new antifungal agents that surpass the existing ones are urgently needed. High-throughput screening of small molecule libraries enables rapid hit identification and, possibly, increases hit rate. Moreover, the identified hits could be associated with unrecognized or multiple drug targets, which would provide novel insights into the biological processes of the pathogen. Hence, it is proposed that high-throughput screening of small molecules is particularly important in the pursuit of the ideal antifungal agents for Candida infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S W Wong
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | - Chaminda J Seneviratne
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Durrant JD, McCammon JA. AutoClickChem: click chemistry in silico. PLoS Comput Biol 2012; 8:e1002397. [PMID: 22438795 PMCID: PMC3305364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 12/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Academic researchers and many in industry often lack the financial resources available to scientists working in "big pharma." High costs include those associated with high-throughput screening and chemical synthesis. In order to address these challenges, many researchers have in part turned to alternate methodologies. Virtual screening, for example, often substitutes for high-throughput screening, and click chemistry ensures that chemical synthesis is fast, cheap, and comparatively easy. Though both in silico screening and click chemistry seek to make drug discovery more feasible, it is not yet routine to couple these two methodologies. We here present a novel computer algorithm, called AutoClickChem, capable of performing many click-chemistry reactions in silico. AutoClickChem can be used to produce large combinatorial libraries of compound models for use in virtual screens. As the compounds of these libraries are constructed according to the reactions of click chemistry, they can be easily synthesized for subsequent testing in biochemical assays. Additionally, in silico modeling of click-chemistry products may prove useful in rational drug design and drug optimization. AutoClickChem is based on the pymolecule toolbox, a framework that may facilitate the development of future python-based programs that require the manipulation of molecular models. Both the pymolecule toolbox and AutoClickChem are released under the GNU General Public License version 3 and are available for download from http://autoclickchem.ucsd.edu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D Durrant
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
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12
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Abstract
As has been widely reviewed elsewhere, the pharmaceutical industry is experiencing an ‘innovation deficit’ as evidenced by the decline in new chemical entity output. This decline, compounded by increased costs and regulatory requirements highlights the need to significantly revise strategic options across the drug-discovery spectrum. Within such revision(s), much of the focus has been on outsourcing to reduce, or at least contain, costs, but if the underlying predominance of ‘closed collaborations’ is not challenged to allow better use of combined knowledge and, thus, move towards a more genuine collaborative process then a ‘numbers only’ approach will not bring medium-to-long-term survival. There are many problems to confront in evolving new sustainable strategies, a real need to think differently exists and should to be cultivated. This article reviews current outsourcing and collaboration strategies to provide a perspective on how great knowledge sharing could help revise the drug-discovery process.
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Everts M, Knight WB, Harris DR, Secrist JA, Whitley RJ. The Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance: a collaborative partnership to facilitate academic drug discovery. Pharm Res 2011; 28:1454-9. [PMID: 21448756 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-011-0432-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 03/11/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance is a collaboration between the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Southern Research Institute that aims to support the discovery and development of therapeutic molecules that address an unmet medical need. The alliance builds on the expertise present at both institutions and has the dedicated commitment of their respective technology transfer and intellectual property offices to guide any commercial opportunities that may arise from the supported efforts. Although most projects involve high throughput screening, projects at any stage in the drug discovery and development pathway are eligible for support. Irrespective of the target and stage of any project, well-functioning interdisciplinary teams are crucial to a project's progress. These teams consist of investigators with a wide variety of expertise from both institutions to contribute to the program's success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Everts
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, CHB 303; 1600 7th Ave S, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA.
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