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deCODE
is employing its genetically-validated targets to create an expanding
pipeline of new drugs to treat major indications. The company has
integrated capabilities for drug discovery and development, ranging
from targeted in vitro and model organism biology through
structure-based drug design, medicinal chemistry and cGMP manufacturing
for clinical trials. These capabilities, unusual for a
biopharmaceutical company of deCODE's size, enable us to speed the
discovery of developmental compounds and maximize the value coming out
of our gene discovery engine.
Our biology group, based in
Reykjavik, conducts functional work on genes we have isolated, drawing
out the biological pathways of disease and identifying optimal points
for therapeutic intervention. Through the design of biological assays
and screening of compound libraries we are able to identify compounds
that effectively block or stimulate target proteins.
Our
structural biology group on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, is an
industry leader in protein expression and three-dimensional structure
determination, based on its expertise ranging from crystallography to
large-scale protein production. The analysis of three-dimensional
images of target proteins and how they bind to therapeutic compounds
provides our drug discovery teams new insight into the nature of
compounds that may be able to deliver maximum therapeutic effect. Our
structural biology group can clone and express virtually any gene of
interest to produce proteins with tailored properties, and has
developed innovative software and equipment for automating and
streamlining the generation of protein crystals for structure
determination using X-ray imaging.
deCODE's chemistry group
based outside Chicago conducts lead discovery, medicinal chemistry and
development of viable synthetic routes required to manufacture cGMP
materials in quantities sufficient for pre-clinical and clinical
studies. The group employs advanced tools for in vitro ADME profiling, physicochemical property optimization and pre-formulation.
This
comprehensive infrastructure for drug discovery gives deCODE the
ability to create and capture the greatest possible value from our
target discovery work. We can pursue the entire drug discovery and
development process in-house; partner projects on favorable terms; and
pursue in-licensing opportunities of existing compounds with a wealth
of information on the specific qualities we wish to see in a
developmental drug. At the same time, we are leveraging these
capabilities to generate revenue for the company in the near-term
through our contract service offerings.
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