Revolutionary Collaboration in Drug Discovery: SmithKline Beecham and David Sarnoff Research Center Join Forces

The pharmaceutical industry is on the cusp of a revolution, as SmithKline Beecham (SB) and the David Sarnoff Research Center have signed a letter of intent to collaborate in developing and commercializing a device for rapid synthesis and screening of molecules for drug discovery. This innovative partnership aims to create a laboratory on a computer chip, capable of carrying out thousands of chemical experiments simultaneously, without human intervention. The business-card-sized chip will link microscopic test tubes, connected by hair-thin channels and reservoirs, and computer-controlled by minuscule electronic pumps, valves, and chemical sensors.

Key Takeaways:

• The collaboration aims to create a device that can synthesize and screen molecules for drug discovery, reducing the time and cost associated with traditional methods.
• The device will utilize a computer chip to carry out thousands of chemical experiments simultaneously, connecting microscopic test tubes and reservoirs with electronic pumps, valves, and chemical sensors.
• SmithKline Beecham will hold a significant stake in the new company, gaining exclusive access to devices produced by the collaboration in the human pharmaceuticals field.
• The David Sarnoff Research Center will provide research facilities and expertise in microengineering, microfluidics, and computer control, while SmithKline Beecham will provide funding and expertise in synthetic chemistry.
• The partnership has the potential to revolutionize the drug-discovery process, enabling companies like SB to be at the forefront of innovation.
• Dr. George Poste, Chairman of Research and Development at SmithKline Beecham, sees this collaboration as a key step in linking genomics and combinatorial chemistry to accelerate the discovery of new molecular targets and leads.
• Dr. Carmen Catanese, Vice President of the Electronic Systems Division at the David Sarnoff Research Center, believes that this collaboration will expedite the discovery cycles for pharmaceuticals and enable the development of more sophisticated devices.

Statistics:

• The device aims to link 10,000 microscopic test tubes connected by hair-thin channels and reservoirs.
• The business-card-sized chip will utilize minuscule electronic pumps, valves, and chemical sensors to facilitate simultaneous synthesis and screening of molecules.
• SmithKline Beecham will hold a stake in the new company, while the David Sarnoff Research Center will retain a majority equity stake.
• The partnership has the potential to accelerate the drug-discovery process, enabling companies to quickly discover and develop new molecular targets and leads.

Sources:

• SmithKline Beecham (SBE) CO: SmithKline Beecham; David Sarnoff Research Center
• Press Release, SmithKline Beecham and David Sarnoff Research Center, June 8, 1995.