Astex

Astex Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of drugs in oncology and other therapeutic areas. Founded in 1999, Astex has pioneered a structure-based drug discovery approach, utilizing high-throughput X-ray crystallography to identify and optimize drug candidates. The company's integrated platform, Pyramid™, combines fragment-based drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, and in silico modeling to accelerate the drug discovery process.

History

Astex Pharmaceuticals was established in 1999 with the aim of leveraging novel technologies to accelerate the discovery of new therapeutics. Over the years, the company has developed and refined its Pyramid™ drug discovery platform, which has been instrumental in identifying several clinical and preclinical drug candidates. In 2013, Astex was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a global healthcare company, which has further supported the expansion of Astex's research and development efforts.

Research and Development

Astex's research and development activities are primarily focused on oncology, with a significant portion of its pipeline dedicated to cancer therapeutics. The company employs its proprietary Pyramid™ platform to identify and optimize small molecule inhibitors targeting a wide range of cancer-related proteins and pathways.

Key Areas of Focus

• Oncology: Astex is committed to developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of various cancers. The company's oncology portfolio includes drugs targeting DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, protein-protein interactions, and epigenetic regulators.
• Fragment-Based Drug Discovery (FBDD): Astex is a pioneer in FBDD, a technique that involves screening small chemical fragments for their ability to bind to target proteins. This approach allows for the efficient identification of lead compounds with high specificity and potency.

Collaborations

Astex has established several strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to advance its drug discovery and development efforts. These collaborations leverage Astex's drug discovery platform and expertise in medicinal chemistry to accelerate the development of novel therapeutics.

Products

Astex has successfully developed and commercialized several drugs, with a focus on oncology. Its products include treatments for various types of cancer, including leukemia, solid tumors, and hematologic malignancies.

Future Directions

Astex Pharmaceuticals continues to invest in its drug discovery and development platform, with the aim of expanding its pipeline of oncology therapeutics. The company is also exploring opportunities to apply its technologies to other therapeutic areas, with the goal of addressing unmet medical needs.

See Also

• Biotechnology
• Oncology
• Drug Discovery
• Fragment-Based Drug Discovery
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical