Tuck:
I listened to the MDS Proteomics CBIC presentation. Very poor audio quality, so I missed some very key claims (something about having searched the whole of the yeast proteome in 6 seconds?!? Can't be right). The beginning and end were most informative, so if the audio presentation goes up on the website, skip the middle.
This is all in the context of constructing a HT proteomics factory from scratch. They are somewhere in the first 1/3, my guess. So this was mostly about strategy and goals. (In my words, from my notes:)
'1. We will move into products (therapeutics). We have been planning for this from day 1, 18 months ago. First stage for MDSP, however, will be via collaborative partnerships.
2. We are not looking simply to generate targets. We are going to do the in-depth tissue work from mapping, to functional characterization, to targeting, validation, structural determination and either antibody or small molecule therapeutics.
3. Currently using multple MS modalities, one gel-free. 30 machines are working, and have been for 6 months, but still need to be integrated with biology and informatics. Have 7 targets from their discoveries, and 120 patents filed.
4. Forward milestones are the characterization of complete, new intracellular signalling pathways in inflammation and oncology; proof of principle (their system) in comparison to yeast 2-hybrid.
5. In 2001, expect one antigen/antibody partnership, a pathway mapping partnership, and a membrane mapping (in one area) partnership.
6. Next 12-18mos, publish the entire proteome of one representative human cell, to be their baseline model of a proteome; two drug candidates in preclinical development; and have formed a chemistry alliance/partnership. (Need hardcore chemistry.)'
7. To emphasize that they will have their own drugs, the speaker commented on how nice it will be to have MDS as a parent/affiliate to do all the preclinical and CRO work, because MDSP will preserve greatest value at the time of future licensing (this is obviously a little inconsistent with the initial plans to partner from the start; and MDS doesn't work for free).
So it looks like it will be closest to the OGSI model, though more collaborative at first. I found the comments about needing chemistry very interesting. Axph can't be long alone. What are the other great free standing chemistry labs? There's a few in San Diego I think.
Overall, for a large account that wants some safety and somewhat hidden exposure to life sciences, including proteomics, plus a dividend, and that doesn't want to watch the screen or read the news every minute, MDS is worth a hard look. 'Large account' pretty much excludes most of us, but hey...
Wilder |
