China-based HitGen Inc. (SHA: 688222) announced a research agreement with US firm Nitrase Therapeutics, Inc. HitGen will apply its DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology platform centered around the design, synthesis, and screening of DELs to discover compounds that bind to certain targets that are of interest to Nitrase. Under the terms of the agreement, HitGen will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and be eligible for milestone payments from Nitrase.
Nitrases and Nitrase’s NITROME Platform
Nitrases are a new class of enzymes discovered by Nitrase Therapeutics, found to be implicated in numerous diseases including Parkinson’s, cancer, respiratory diseases, fibrosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Nitrase’s NITROME platform has generated leads for the inhibition of nitrase enzymatic reactions that can cause disease, and is developing drugs based on the newly discovered role that protein nitration plays in disease. The firm is developing a pipeline of therapies against a broad range of diseases.
HitGen’s DEL Technology and Applications
HitGen is a world leader in the development of the DEL technology and applications to early-stage small molecule drug discovery. The availability of over 1.2 trillion small molecules generated by the DEL technology and the efficiency of the screening process have made it possible for HitGen to enable drug discovery projects for many organizations around the world.-Fineline Info & Tech
