Project Flow

The MCCB group offers the opportunity to chemists, biologists and other scientists to develop successful partnerships in their translational research efforts. Scientists and clinicians are invited to discuss their needs regarding the identification and development of small molecule inhibitors or probes that can be used to study clinically relevant biological processes and/or their ideas on drug development programmes (from hit generation to lead optimisation). A crucial aspect of the role of the MCCB group is that the input it provides into a particular project is one of pump-priming future applications for significant external (e.g. research council) funding, a proportion of which will flow back into the MCCB group.

Typically the group enters discussion with a collaborator upon or during validation of a biological target in order to generate a modulator of the target. Through well validated methods of optimisation, chemical candidates are identified and honed through the process to generate molecules of interest as pre-defined in the development proposal (Figure 3). Where appropriate, IP considerations form a key component of project strategy and direction. The group also considers programs aimed at general development of platform technologies for translational research that could be of use in drug discovery and welcomes discussion on these ideas from scientists at any time.

The development capabilities of the group are enhanced through close collaboration with supporting groups offering complementary skills, including the Astbury Centre at the University of Leeds for protein-ligand structural studies, the Bioinformatics Technology Group within the BHRC and the IPMU IP management unit at the University of Leeds. The group also has close ties with an external CRO to provide ADMET/PK data to projects where that service is required. Biology is provided by input from various groups across the university and LTHT.

Figure 3. MCCB group technologies and project flow