Cyclofluidic Announces First Fully Automated Lead Discovery Experiment

The Cyclofluidic Integrated Discovery Platform uses microfluidic flow chemistry, on-line biochemical assays and automated drug design algorithms to make and screen potential drug molecules.  “This is a key milestone for Cyclofluidic” said Chris Selway, Cyclofluidic’s Chief Technology Officer, “the majority of the drug molecules in this experiment were designed, made and tested by the platform overnight.”

Dr Graham Warrellow, VP Chemistry, UCB commented “I believe that the Cyclofluidic team have accomplished a tremendous breakthrough by successfully integrating flow chemistry, screening, computational methodologies and automation.  To have achieved this within 3 years is extremely exciting and offers the promise of further ground-breaking science that will significantly impact small molecule drug discovery in the years ahead.”

Cyclofluidic is now using its technology to work with collaborators, in the search for tool compounds. These molecules are the key seeds for the discovery of new drugs. Traditional methods for finding drug leads can take up to 2 years and cost an average of $166 million per new drug launched1. The Cyclofluidic technology promises to shorten this process and to yield lead molecules with a higher chance of success. “We are very encouraged about this latest experiment” said Dr Mark Bunnage, VP and Head of Chemistry, Biotherapeutics Research at Pfizer, “it is a key result and we are very much looking forward to the future development of Cyclofluidic’s innovative approach”