Texas Biotechnology Corporation Achieves Technical Milestone in Computer-Aided Drug Design

Strategic Insights -

Texas Biotechnology Corporation has met a technical milestone in its computer-aided drug design program, triggering an additional research payment of $2 million from Eisai Co., Ltd. of Japan. The company, led by President and CEO David B. McWilliams, has successfully applied proprietary computer-aided drug design technology to develop small molecule lead compounds that meet Eisai's criteria. This achievement comes on the heels of the company's successful use of computer-aided techniques in its endothelin antagonist and selectin inhibitor programs, which have advanced into preclinical development and are expected to file investigational new drug (IND) applications in 1996.

Key Takeaways:

  • Texas Biotechnology Corporation has achieved a technical milestone in its computer-aided drug design program, triggering an additional research payment of $2 million from Eisai Co., Ltd. of Japan.
  • The company used proprietary computer-aided drug design technology to develop small molecule lead compounds that meet Eisai's criteria, with the objective accomplished in just two years.
  • The company has successfully applied computer-aided techniques in its endothelin antagonist and selectin inhibitor programs, which have advanced into preclinical development.
  • The selectin inhibitor is expected to file an IND in the second half of 1996, while the endothelin antagonist candidate is currently in preclinical development and plans to file an IND in the first half of 1996.
  • Texas Biotechnology Corporation applies innovative drug discovery techniques, including computer-aided drug design, to design and develop novel pharmaceutical compounds.
  • The company's research and development programs focus on preventing blood clot formation, vascular proliferative disease, and vascular inflammation.

Statistics:

  • $2 million: additional research payment from Eisai Co., Ltd. of Japan triggered by Texas Biotechnology Corporation's achievement of the technical milestone.
  • 9 months: time frame within which Texas Biotechnology Corporation developed small molecule lead compounds that meet Eisai's criteria.
  • 1996: expected filing date for IND applications for both the endothelin antagonist and selectin inhibitor programs.
  • 2: number of years in which the objective of developing small molecule lead compounds was achieved.
  • 1993: year in which Texas Biotechnology Corporation entered into a computer-aided drug design agreement with Eisai.

Sources:

  • "HOUSTON, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- "
  • Texas Biotechnology Corporation press release announcing achievement of technical milestone in computer-aided drug design program.