In the first instance, Proteros is helping UCB solve the three dimensional structure of an undisclosed target along with its related proteins using its suite of proprietary X-ray crystallography techniques.
It will then screen fragments and compounds supplied by UCB to get a picture of the structure of the compounds as they bind to the target proteins to help select suitable candidates that can progress to medicinal chemistry and optimisation.
The financial terms of the deal – which includes fixed research fees and milestones - have not been disclosed.
Proteros makes much of the ‘industrialisation’ of its process, with all steps - from protein production and purification up to crystallisation and X-ray structure determination - integrated into a controlled process.
The company’s proprietary technologies include Free Mounting System (FMS) which helps crystallographers to optimise diffraction patterns of macromolecular crystals by carefully controlling the humidity around a crystal and its water content, and Picodropper, an instrument which allows precisely controlled addition of picoliter droplets of ligand solution to a FMS-mounted protein crystal.
Proteros’ also owns a part of a new Synchrotron beamline, currently established at Swiss Light Source, Villingen, which can help it rapidly collect X-ray data. Last year, Proteros joined forces with Mercachem BV of the Netherlands to add medicinal chemistry services to its portfolio, allowing the two companies to offer fragment-based drug discovery, fragment evolution, hit-to-lead generation, lead optimistion and the preparation of clinical development candidates.
Proteros’ client list includes Bayer Healthcare, Boehringer Ingelheim, OSI Pharmaceuticals and Almirall. Last year the firm won a €5.5m (6.9m) federal research contract from Germany’s Ministry of Education and Research.