Axxam and F.Hoffman La Roche Ltd enter into research collaboration
Axxam SpA enters into research collaboration with F.Hoffmann – La Roche Ltd. for assay development and screening of selected drug targets
Milan (Italy), November 19th, 2014 – Axxam SpA (Milan/Italy), a leading provider of discovery services has entered a collaboration with F. Hoffmann – La Roche Ltd to discover new small molecules targeting various targets across multiple disease areas. The collaboration will speed up the development of small molecule drugs by accessing Axxam’s specific target expertise and advanced screening technologies.
The research collaboration includes assay development, adaptation to fully automated screening stations and HTS using the compound collection of F. Hoffmann – La Roche Ltd. Identified Hits will be characterized and validated with mode of action studies and selectivity screens using Axxam`s proprietary cell lines. The activities will be carried out both at the Axxam site in Milan, as well as at Hit Discovery Constance (HDC) GmbH in Constance/Germany, a new joint venture organisation between Axxam (Milan/Italy), Lead Discovery Center (Dortmund/Germany) and Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3, KULeuven, Leuven/Belgium). Combined with HDC’s already established HTS services and compound storage facilities, Axxam represents one of the largest screening hubs worldwide.
Dr. Doris Hafenbradl, VP Discovery Services at Axxam and Managing Director at HDC commented: “The collaboration with F.Hoffmann – La Roche is a further demonstration that our key expertise in assay development and HTS is well recognized within the pharmaceutical industry. Our continuous investments in enabling screening technologies, combined with our science-driven attitude is absolutely crucial to generate and deliver excellent data quality. We are very pleased that F.Hoffmann – La Roche has selected us as a partner and we are looking forward to collaborate intensively and successfully with our colleagues at F.Hoffmann – La Roche.”