Early stage drug discovery is a numbers game, often requiring hundreds or thousands of compounds to be screened to ident
DRUG DISCOVERY
Putting the pieces together Biomolecular interaction analysis plays an important role in the pharmaceutical industry. SensiQ Technologies has optimized surface plasmon resonance technology for drug discovery applications, developing an automated system that can provide rapid affinity data for prompt identification of candidate fragment activities.
Early stage drug discovery is a numbers
explore, as well as identifying technology
game, often requiring hundreds or
partners we can collaborate with to
thousands of compounds to be
move this field forward.”
screened to identify potential drug
Tom Jobe, Chief Operating Officer, SensiQ Technologies, Inc.
candidates that interact with the
Over the past decade, SensiQ has
therapeutic target of interest.
established a broad range of SPR-based
Biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA)
instruments to streamline BIA, including
using label-free surface plasmon
the SensiQ Pioneer family of fully
resonance (SPR) is regarded as the gold
automated benchtop systems. Tom
standard approach for the binding
continued: “We first introduced the
affinity and kinetic studies performed as
Pioneer platform around six years ago
part of this process. SensiQ
and, over time, this system has been
Technologies, Inc. in Oklahoma City,
updated and enhanced, and new
USA, has developed a portfolio of
versions introduced for specific
label-free SPR devices for the life
applications. We currently offer a choice
sciences market, enabling the
of three systems, including the latest
generation of real-time data on the
addition to the range, the Pioneer FE for
interactions between molecules. Tom
fragment screening. This is a cutting-edge
Jobe, the company’s Chief Operating
area of pharma research, where large
Officer, explained: “SensiQ was founded
libraries of protein fragments are used to
12 years ago, with a focus on developing
create molecules so small that the body’s
new SPR-based tools for life scientists.
immune system does not attack them.
It is this combination of pinpoint positioning accuracy and very high resolution liquid handling that has enabled us to create the extremely sensitive Pioneer FE system. Our main market is pharma research,
The Pioneer FE has been developed in
principally early stage drug discovery
collaboration with a leading biotech
applications, where scientists are
company to optimize this process; it’s
looking for molecules that fit together
very much a case of fine-tuning our
very well and could eventually be
automated platform to offer superior
developed into novel therapeutics. We
throughput and sensitivity for binding
keep a very close eye on ongoing
affinity studies. The system uses our
developments in this sector, using
patented OneStep® gradient injection
feedback from both our customers and
technology, which helps to accelerate
key opinion leaders to enhance our
library screening by uniquely offering
products and develop new solutions
the ability to determine full kinetics and
that will streamline BIA studies. This
affinity from a single SPR injection.”
helps us to decide which areas to
10
TECAN JOURNAL 1/2017
DRUG DISCOVERY
“When you design a new system, you
accuracy and very high resolution liquid
have a choice between developing all
handling that has enabled us to create the
the components in house, or using
extremely sensitive Pioneer FE system.”
established OEM solutions. We considered the in-house option but, as
“With any OEM product, it is also vital that
OEM components that suited our needs
system support will be available for a long
were already available, it made more
period, and Tecan’s history and reputation
sense to go down this route. We looked
were definitely an advantage. The local
at the various options available on the
Tecan team has been very supportive, and
market, and the resolution and accuracy
we have been able to work with Tecan on
offered by the Tecan Cavro® range was
a number of innovations for SPR
very compelling. We looked to the Tecan
automation. This partnership has also
team to recommend the most
given us greater insight into the direction
appropriate automation solutions for our
markets and technology are taking, which
purposes, and they suggested the Cavro
helps to guide our next generation of
Robotic Sample Processor (RSP) and
instruments. Working with Tecan to plan
Cavro Centris pumps. It is this set-up’s
where we are going next is very helpful,”
combination of pinpoint positioning
Tom concluded.
To find out more about Tecan Cavro components, visit partnering.tecan.com To learn more about SensiQ Technologies, go to www.sensiqtech.com
The Pioneer FE has been developed to simplify fragment analysis experiments TECAN JOURNAL 1/2017
11
