Tripos Announces Award Program for Emerging Biotechnology Companies To Accelerate Drug Discovery

29-Sep-2003
Tripos, Inc., a leading provider of drug discovery informatics products and chemistry research, announced the launch of an initiative to support rapid identification of drug candidates by emerging biotechnology companies. Under the "Hits-to-Leads" program, biotechnology companies will apply for an award of Tripos' integrated products and services that offer a proven approach to the problem of lead identification faced by all drug discovery companies. The winning applicants, one from Europe, the Middle East or Africa, and one from North America or Australasia, will receive LeadScreen(TM) (50,000 high-quality, pre-plated screening compounds), a one-year license for SARNavigator(TM) (Tripos' newly introduced screening data analysis and visualization software) and, following screening, a customized data analysis report. The "Hits-to-Leads" program makes Tripos' strengths in informatics- driven chemistry accessible to emerging biotechnology companies that are looking for rapid lead identification without a major investment in infrastructure. "This is a great opportunity for emerging biotechnology companies," said Dr. Peter Hecht, senior vice president of discovery research operations and managing director of Tripos Receptor Research Ltd. (TRR). "The combination of LeadScreen and SARNavigator is unique in the industry and will complement in- house biology expertise. This powerful offering is routinely used in our own research facilities to provide a complete solution from initial screen to validated lead." The award includes the following: -- LeadScreen: 50,000 high-quality drug-like screening compounds, preplated in a format suitable for rapid screening with minimal preparation. LeadScreen was developed using a proprietary informatics- driven process by which the compounds were designed from virtual libraries. The compounds provide access to novel chemistry as a consequence of their unique method of construction that combines traditional synthesis with parallel chemistry. -- SARNavigator: a desktop data analysis technology, developed in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies to provide a solution for assessing very large datasets of chemical structures and biological data. SARNavigator enables the user to identify and prioritize hit series for follow up from large screening datasets. SARNavigator was launched as a Tripos product in June 2003. -- Customized Report: Working closely with the winners, Tripos' scientists will develop a customized data analysis report specifically around the compound screening results. In addition, the winner will gain access to Tripos' industry-leading customer support. Applications for the "Hits-to-Leads" award program will be accepted until Nov. 17, 2003. Dr. John P. McAlister, Tripos' president and CEO, will choose the recipients via a lottery drawing. More information about this program is available online at http://www.tripos.com/hitstoleads.html.

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