Pepscan and ServiceXS enter research collaboration with Solvay

Dutch companies Pepscan Systems, ServiceXS and Solvay Pharmeuticals have entered into a research agreement for the deorphanisation of a series of proteases.

Under the collaboration Pepscan and ServiceXS will use their expertise in peptide arrays and peptide microarrays to identify novel peptide substrates for a series of proteases proprietary to Solvay for little information on substrates are known to date. The substrates will be identified using rationally and randomly designed peptide arrays.

'Peptidases usually regulate a broad range of neuroendocrine peptides. However, usually only a few peptide substrates are known,' said Dr Eric Ronken, of Solvay Pharmaceuticals. 'Pepscan offers the opportunity to address this issue in a broad and unbiased manner.

'This will allow Solvay to characterise known and novel peptidases in a more complete manner and to position therapeutic drug action in the context of relevant peptide systems.'