Ghent and Antwerp universities join with BioTools to form chirality centre

Collaboration

Ghent and Antwerp universities have formed a partnership with BioTools Europe Ltd to create a specialist drug discovery and development unit, the European Centre for Chirality (EC2),

Chirality refers to molecules that exist in left- and right-handed versions, and which despite having the same chemical formula, have different properties. EC2 will bring together expertise and resources to develop greater understanding of the role that chirality plays in biological processes. The Centre’s mission is to develop a broad range of chirality-related applications.

Given the importance of chirality in drug discovery and development, the information obtained using these applications is likely to increase productivity in drug discovery, diagnostics research, drug development and registration.

Edwin Kellenbach, Departmental Head Analytical Sciences at the pharmaceutical company Merck, said analysis of the chiral formations of both small molecules and biological molecules) is now an essential part of the discovery and development of new medicines. “For example the understanding of chirality has played a key role in the success of 7 out of 10 of the latest blockbusters drugs including Lipitor, Nexium and Plavix.

“The challenge faced by many of us working in the pharmaceutical sector and underpinned by pressure from market regulators is to obtain high quality data about chirality sufficiently early in the discovery of new molecules to be able to make decisions that will determine the success or failure of the molecules in achieving clinical efficacy and safety.  EC2 will help scientists meet these challenges.”

Frank Trundle, Managing Director of BioTools Europe, which specialises in equipment for investigating chirality, said, “One challenge we recognised is the initial capital cost of investing in analytical instrumentation, which can be limiting and may take long periods of time to approve through academic and corporate budget cycles. We will [...] offer open access services through EC2 and provide fast affordable access to critical analysis, modelling, and expertise of the highest standards.”

The Centre will open on December 2nd 2010.