CellCentric Widens Drug Screening in Shanghai

CellCentric, the biotechnology company unlocking epigenetic control mechanisms, is pleased to announce that it has signed an enlarged agreement with HD Biosciences (HDB), a company specialising in drug discovery contract research, in order to further build CellCentric’s portfolio of drug discovery programmes.

Prior to signing this expanded Master Services Agreement, CellCentric and HDB worked together on an initial set of targets identified and prioritised by CellCentric. The new agreement provides a framework to drive these programmes forward.

HDB is acknowledged as a leading drug discovery contract research organisation CRO, and the company was presented with Pfizer Inc.’s "2008 Top Research Service Partner Award" in recognition of the quality, productivity, and value delivered to its client.

This expanded contract with HDB will increase CellCentric’s activities in building a portfolio of drug discovery programmes against multiple enzyme classes, including demethylases, methyltransferases and ubiquitin-associated enzymes. Importantly, each programme benefits from ongoing input from the leading researchers in the field.

CellCentric has a unique Principal Investigator discovery platform that is the largest commercial knowledge resource in epigenetics, leveraging interactions with multiple world leading researchers in the field. CellCentric’s ability to utilise the different, but overlapping disciplines of molecular biology, developmental biology and cellular therapeutic models gives the platform a highly competitive advantage in the identification, prioritisation and validation of epigenetic drug targets.

Drug discovery strategy and implementation is being led by Dr Neil Pegg. Neil was recruited to CellCentric from Piramed where, as Director of Chemistry, he oversaw the development of small molecule inhibitors in multiple programmes, including a major collaboration with Genentech, and ultimately company acquisition by Roche.  

Dr Xuehai Tan, Chief Executive Officer of HD Biosciences said:

“HDB has developed quality operations and a st rong reputation from working with many major pharmaceutical companies. CellCentric is recognised as a key leader in developing the field of epigenetics and we are pleased to help them develop novel therapeutics in an exciting scientific field.”

Commenting on the expanded activities in Shanghai, Dr Pegg, Director of Discovery Research, added:

“We are delighted with the interaction with HD Biosciences. In a short space of time, and with input from our Principal Investigator network, we have been able to generate multiple hits and move from a screening exercise into a drug discovery operation. The next 12 months will be extremely exciting as CellCentric continues to expand its portfolio of discovery activities".