Here is a press release:
Subject:
Molecular Simulations Inc. and Procept announce research alliance
Date:
Wed, 28 Aug 1996 09:10:24 -0700
BusinessWire Press Release:
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 1996--Molecular Simulations
Inc. and Procept Inc. (NASDAQ:PRCT) have entered into a research
agreement to pool their proprietary technologies in the area of
combinatorial library design for identifying and discovering new
drugs.
The primary goal of the consortia partnering agreement, which
combines state-of-the-art science with results-oriented software, is
to accelerate drug discovery by creating unique, high-impact UNIX
and desktop software packages.
The new systems, sharing common computational servers based on
MSI's Cerius2 and WebLab extensions, will amplify the role of
combinatorial chemistry in slashing time/dollar costs for lead
identification and optimization.
Under terms of the partnership, MSI will develop software tools
with Procept for the construction of large, ``virtual'' compound
libraries in 3-D for evaluating in-house and available compound
collections, analyzing a library design for optimal diversity, for
extending directed diversity/similarity sampling methodologies, and
next-generation SAR analysis for UNIX-based and native desktop
products.
``By combining proprietary technology and resources, our
partnership with Procept will guide the application of our science
to solve the most critical issues and accelerate efforts in
combinatorial chemistry for the purpose of drug discovery,'' said
Dr. Scott Kahn, director of life sciences marketing and acting
consortium director at MSI.
Dr. Peter Pallai, Procept's director of rational drug design,
added: ``By taking part in the development of novel computational
tools we can realize the full potential of our unique approach to
combinatorial chemistry for the discovery and optimization of drug
candidates.
``The consortium provides an excellent forum for us to evaluate
new ideas and concepts and effectively address important questions
in combinatorial chemistry.''
MSI is a privately held company formed out of the August 1995
merger of MSI and BIOSYM Technologies. The company employs more
than 260 people, half of them Ph.D. scientists, supporting nearly
3,500 customers worldwide.
With headquarters in San Diego, MSI operates sales offices
around the world and a research and development facility in
Cambridge, England. For more information, go to MSI's homepage at
msi.com.
Founded in 1985, Massachusetts-based Procept is developing
therapeutics for the treatment of arthritis, diabetes, organ
transplant rejections and infectious diseases, including AIDS and
tuberculosis.
CONTACT: Molecular Simulations Inc.
Brenda Pfeiffer, 619/546-5319
or
Procept Inc.
Stanley C. Erck, 617/491-1100
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA MASSACHUSETTS
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICINE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED |
