Medicinal chemistry plays a crucial role in the drug discovery process. At Oncodesign Services, our medicinal chemistry department is composed of drug discovery experts to provide innovative solutions and accelerate the discovery process. Meet Christophe Parsy, director of the department since 2020.
The Medicinal Chemistry department (or Med Chem) at Oncodesign Services is located within the R&D center in South Paris. It occupies 700m² equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and instruments, and has over 30 people (Senior researchers, research assistants and technicians).
Combining various expertise such as computational chemistry and organic chemistry as well as pharmacology, the MedChem team is in charge of designing and synthesizing novel molecules with desired drug like properties.
“Our goal is to provide compounds as soon as possible that will be perfectly aligned with the goals of the candidate drug target profile commonly agreed with our clients” says Christophe.
We offer innovative solutions in medicinal chemistry
Through the integrated DRIVE-Small Molecule offer (DRIVE-SM), Oncodesign Services implements diverse chemical approaches and is agnostic to the biological target. Some of our cutting-edge expertise concerns the following fields: Kinase inhibitors, GPCR, mRNA modulators, Heterocyclic chemistry, Boron Chemistry, Imaging and theranostic agents, Targeted protein degradation, etc.
“We rely on creativity and the search for innovation to generate truly original molecules that offer a personalized strategy to identify hits” mentions Christophe. “For this, we have invested in computational chemistry tools with the ability to screen large compound libraries of small molecules with therapeutic potential.”
Indeed, the computing power, the algorithmic efficiency and the precision of the calculation models of these new technologies contribute to the reduction of time between laboratory and clinical tests for drug candidates.
Here are some specific ways that the medicinal chemistry department fits into the drug discovery process:
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Hit identification
Medicinal chemists use their knowledge of chemistry and biology to design and synthesize molecules that have the potential to interact with a target protein. This is a critical first step in the drug discovery process, as it can help to narrow down the vast number of potential drug candidates.
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Hit-to-lead optimization
Once a hit has been identified, medicinal chemists work to improve its properties, such as its potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetics. This is a challenging and iterative process, but it is essential for developing a drug candidate that has the potential to be safe and effective.
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Lead optimization
The lead optimization stage is where medicinal chemists make further refinements to the drug candidate in order to improve its properties even further. This may involve making changes to the molecule’s structure, its formulation, or its delivery method.
The Medicinal Chemistry and the Translational Pharmacology teams work in close collaboration to discover novel preclinical candidates.
How does the drug discovery philosophy translates at Oncodesign Services?
Oncodesign Services cultivates an integrated approach that connects disciplines, thus fostering a sense of shared ownership and driving project dynamics. Also, the medicinal chemistry unit works closely with the departments responsible for ADME/PK, Translational Pharmacology, and bioanalytical development to generate high quality hits, leads and drug candidates in the shortest times.
“Uniting Medicinal Chemistry, DMPK, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology under a single roof accelerates the iterative cycles of development required at the Hit-to-Lead and Lead Optimization stages” specifies Christophe. “What kills biotech and start-up companies is running out of time to solve problems because the fixed cost, especially overhead count, reduces cash runway. At Oncodesign Services, we collaborate intimately with biotech companies and executives, aligning study priorities with their financial agenda. Our commitment is to deliver impactful scientific results that propel their R&D programs, ensuring that their path to success remains unhindered.”
To progress efficiently, our drug discovery programs are managed by interdisciplinary teams on a daily basis, with a central project manager to demonstrate responsiveness and quickly communicate the necessary information. Inter communication and transparency with our clients are key to our processes.
The integrated approach at Oncodesign Services allows for efficient communication and collaboration between all stakeholders, which is essential for the success of any drug discovery program. By working together, Oncodesign Services and its clients can accelerate the drug discovery process and bring new therapies to patients faster.
About Christophe Parsy
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What is your background in a nutshell? I am an organic chemist by training. I have had the opportunity during my career to be exposed to several different research environments in biotechnology, large pharmaceutical companies and research organizations. I have acquired extensive experience in the drug discovery business and contributed to the development of several compounds currently in the clinic. What is your role at Oncodesign Services? Within Oncodesign Services, I hold the central position of leading the medicinal chemistry department and spearheading our drug discovery offer for small molecule, named DRIVE-SM. |
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