On January 11, 2016 FORMA Therapeutics and Cancer Research Technology, reported the formation of a third new virtual Asset Discovery and Development Company (ADDCos) with novel chemical matter targeting an undisclosed deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) (Press release, Forma Therapeutics, JAN 12, 2016, View Source [SID:1234509341]). ADDCos are virtual companies that rapidly advance drug discovery innovations in a compelling scientific area through the collaboration of academic thought leaders, FORMA drug discovery scientists and a world class development network.
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This achievement is the result of an ongoing long-term initiative between FORMA and Cancer Research Technology, the commercial arm of Cancer Research UK, to discover innovative tools, technologies and therapeutic drug candidates against a variety of DUBs that regulate protein homeostasis. Under the agreement, FORMA is pairing its ultra-efficient drug discovery and early development capabilities with expertise from Cancer Research Technology’s Discovery Laboratories and the exclusive world-class academic network of Cancer Research UK scientists.
Protein ubiquitination, a highly regulated cellular process controlled in part by DUBs to maintain protein homeostasis with appropriate protein levels and function, contributes to a large number of wide-ranging human diseases when aberrantly dysregulated. DUBs, as members of diverse protein complexes, are key regulators of ubiquitin recycling, processing, proofreading and disassembly. DUBs contain a catalytic domain surrounded by one or more accessory domains, some of which contribute to target recognition, and collectively represent molecular features ideally suited for therapeutic intervention.
"DUBs continue to represent highly attractive discovery targets warranting further exploration," stated Steven Tregay, Ph.D., President and CEO, FORMA Therapeutics. "The evolution of R&D across a distributed network of diverse scientific disciplines allows FORMA to rapidly and creatively advance research discoveries into clinical candidates."
Keith Blundy, CEO of Cancer Research Technology, said: "This partnership has proven to yield exciting biology and translational outcomes, when pairing complementary skills and capabilities together within a unique business structure. We look forward seeing such research discoveries develop into new medicines offering breakthrough treatments to cancer patients worldwide."