Protein Crystallography for the Industry

The Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS) at Daresbury Laboratory, through CLIK, are now offering a new commercial service to help cut the time to discover new drugs with an expected turnaround of 48 hours.

Pharmaceutical companies use protein crystallography at the early stages of the drug development process to understand the structure of their targets, any potential drugs and how they interact which each other. 

A powerful synchrotron X-ray source is invaluable as it provides the capability to process samples at a better resolution than laboratory sources.

Historically, pharmaceutical companies have primarily accessed synchrotrons through research programmes and collaborations with universities. However, this work usually has to fit around academic programmes which may result in expensive delays in the company’s development programme.

In March 2007, the protein crystallography station was due to be decommissioned as part of the closure of the SRS but CLIK, the Council’s Technology Transfer department, recognized the potential for the creation of the first 100% industry-dedicated synchrotron station in the world for protein crystallography. As a result, the station is now going to be kept open until December 2008 enabling companies to utilize the synchrotron within 48 hours after the first contact.

Realizing that flexibility is a major attraction, CLIK offers courier services, the preferred method for many companies, through which samples are shipped in and experts perform the desired experiments on behalf of the customer.