Merck to develop new class of antibacterials
pharmafile | October 6, 2010 | News story | Research and Development | BioRelix, Merck & Co, anti-infectives
Merck & Co has signed a drug development agreement with anti-infective pharma firm BioRelix to development a new class of antibacterial drug candidates.
Under the agreement, BioRelix will apply its proprietary RiboSwitch technology platform to identify compounds with activity against a number of bacterial targets.
Roger Pomerantz, global franchise head of infectious diseases at Merck Research Laboratories, said: “Collaborations with companies like BioRelix are essential as we seek to apply the latest innovative drug discovery technologies towards the discovery of new much needed antibacterial medications.”
The partners will jointly undertake preclinical programmes, and Merck will then be responsible for clinical evaluation of any candidates chosen for further development.
Merck will pay New Haven, US-based BioRelix an upfront fee and provide research funding.
In addition, BioRelix is eligible to receive payments upon achievement of specified milestones associated with advancement of drug candidates and royalties on the sales of any products derived from the collaboration.
Brian Dixon, chief executive of BioRelix, said: “There is a tremendous patient need for new agents against difficult to treat and drug resistant infections.
“We’re delighted to combine our technology with such a capable partner in order to provide new mechanisms and new chemistry to fight these life threatening diseases.”
BioRelix has patented novel bacterial RNA targets called RiboSwitches that were identified by BioRelix founder Dr Ronald Breaker.
RiboSwitches are short stretches of messenger RNAs that bind small molecule metabolites and control the genes that are essential for the survival of many disease-causing microbes.
Several different classes of RiboSwitch RNAs have been identified and each potentially could serve as a novel anti-infective drug target.
BioRelix owns a worldwide license to develop and market RiboSwitch targeted medicines and is building a portfolio of products.
Ben Adams
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