Synthon Chiragenics launches chemistry platforms

Carbohydrate-based drug discovery company Synthon Chiragenics has introduced DiscoveryCollections, a new programme that makes its advanced, proprietary chemistry platforms available to companies for independent research. There will be four 'palettes' of compounds – Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver. Pharma companies can make a straightforward purchase of one or more palettes, and customised palettes are also available.

Each Discovery Collection consists of compounds that are grouped on the basis of structural, chiral and chemical complexity. They range from the most complex drug-like substances and near-drug compounds for lead development in the Diamond Collection, to less complex ligands for combinatorial synthesis and discovery in the Gold and Silver. Synthon will begin by introducing the Diamond and Platinum Collections, with Gold and Silver to follow.

The first series in the Diamond Collection will consist of ten novel structures (10mg each). A key feature will be families of protected amino di- and trihydroxy acids, esters and lactones with several chiral centres prepared using a hybrid of chiral pool and enzymatic technologies. These compounds also include oxazolidinones, piperazines, piperazinones and morpholines. The first series in the Platinum Collection will consist of 20 novel structures (20mg each), including amino alcohols, amino acids and oxazolidinones. Periodically, new palettes will be introduced within each collection.

'Synthon's proprietary technologies are breaking the barriers of traditional chemistry, and forming the basis for new platforms that will define the more advanced drugs of the future,' explained Scott E. Coleridge, president and ceo.

'With access to novel molecules that may take years to develop on their own, pharma companies can enter into new areas of research using intermediates well beyond the traditional building block stage.'