BioFocus DPI Launches Seven new Libraries including its First Libraries Targeting Proteases

BioFocus DPI announces the launch of seven new biologically-targeted libraries of novel drug-like compounds. These libraries specifically target ion channels, kinases and for the first time, proteases – three of the most important protein classes for drug discovery.

The design of the first two SoftFocus protease libraries (SFP01 and SFP02) is targeted at cysteine and serine proteases and is based upon structures of more than 50 protease-ligand complexes available from the Protein Data Bank, providing key insights into a potentially widely applicable protease scaffold template.

Two new SoftFocus ion channel libraries (SFI11 and SFI12) have been designed using Helical Domain Recognition Analysis (HDRA), which links X-ray, sequence alignment and SAR data. HDRA is used to rationalize scaffold binding in the pore region of ion channels and to guide monomer selection. First generation SFI libraries have delivered potent and selective compound series against a variety of ion channel drug targets.

Two new SoftFocus kinase libraries (SFK52 and SFK53) are launched. The SFK library collection has been proven to generate new leads and quality SAR. It has been independently determined to have the greatest population of kinase-like molecules available for screening.

The new FieldFocus kinase library (FFK03) tackles kinase library design from a ligand perspective. The FFK libraries are based on a new in silico, fragment-based approach, leading to suitable matches between a series of fragments and the bioactive conformation of a potent kinase inhibitor.

“This latest launch expands upon the world’s most successful range of chemogenomic libraries available to global organizations for biological screening. We are particularly pleased to extend our strong track record in designing and synthesizing quality, focused libraries to proteases,” said Richard Hill, Director of BioFocus DPI’s Discovery Products division.