Friday, January 25, 2019
Origenis announced today it has entered into a global license and collaboration agreement with Expansion Therapeutics to research and discover small molecule compounds targeting RNA-mediated diseases. As part of the agreement, the companies will initiate a lead optimization program which leverages the Origenis artificial intelligence (AI) discovery platform to identify drug development candidates for Expansion’s portfolio of RNA-targeted small molecule medicines.
“We are excited to apply our technology platform as well as our interdisciplinary approach and chemical expertise to a novel class of compounds supporting Expansion in their efforts to develop medicines for RNA-mediated diseases,” Michael Almstetter, CEO of Origenis. “We have already validated our platform’s target independence with results from an initial feasibility phase using RNA-based targets. The continued collaboration with Expansion provides an opportunity to further extend our expertise into a unique therapeutic space that differentiates us from other AI companies.”
The collaboration combines Origenis' capabilities in compound design, chemical synthesis, and screening with Expansion’s field-leading expertise in the discovery and development of small molecules interacting with ribonucleic acid (RNA). RNA is becoming more widely recognized for playing a diverse role in cell biology and is implicated in many diseases, making it an attractive therapeutic target.
Through the use of its proprietary AI drug discovery platform, MolMind® and the MOREsystem®, in conjunction with other innovative embedded technologies, Origenis will design, synthesize and characterize novel molecules acting against different RNA-based targets. Origenis will deliver identified development candidates with defined properties for these targets to Expansion and will ensure the novelty by guiding the process with Cippix®, a unique tool creating value from hidden chemical and biological information embedded in patents. Throughout its drug discovery process, Origenis employs interactive AI feedback learning to ensure compounds have unique chemical properties and have been tested for biological activity, toxicity and stability for real-world application.
Under the terms of the agreement, Expansion will receive rights to develop products against defined molecular targets. Origenis will receive research payments and is eligible for certain development milestones.
