ABOUT DIVISIONS KEY INITIATIVES NEWS CONTACT US CAREERS SUPPORT US FINDING SOLUTIONS THAT COULD CHANGE THE WORLD HOME | DRUG DISCOVERY DRUG DISCOVERY CONTACT US This diagram provides the foundation for drug discovery. Click to enlarge. Southern Research Drug Discovery is an active participant in and worldwide leader of ongoing drug discovery programs targeting various forms of cancer, a wide variety of neurologic and metabolic diseases, and a host of imminent viral and bacterial infections. We are a team of approximately 75 scientists who conduct basic research with a translational component as we identify small molecules that may become novel therapeutics for today’s most significant healthcare challenges. The multidisciplinary nature of drug discovery research is facilitated by Southern Research’s collaborative integration of biology, high throughput screening, and chemistry. In brief, a novel target is identified by our internal biological sciences group or through a collaboration, and a validated assay is established, which can then be used by our High Throughput Screening team on a large scale to identify “hits” for further investigation. Our Chemistry Department develops those hits to be more drug-like molecules through medicinal chemistry efforts, and eventually, synthesizes a potential drug. It can then be taken back to biological sciences for confirmation through mechanism of action studies and secondary assay performance. Eventually, these drug candidates are taken into clinical studies. Aligned with our vision to lead and empower drug discovery, our internal research efforts are augmented by many collaborative relationships and external partnerships, including those from academic and industrial institutions. Our team-based system can be well-integrated into multi-centered project teams, as exemplified by ongoing projects. For example, a strong relationship exists with University of Alabama at Birmingham, through the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance, launched in 2008 to facilitate and expedite the discovery and development of new drug therapies. We have formed a similar partnership with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to advance promising research that could lead to new drugs that address unmet medical needs. Moreover, we are working to develop a new anti-cancer drug with Bionetix, a South Korean biotechnology company, through our newly developed collaborative research program. The division is also funded by multiple centers of the National Institutes of Health and other federal institutions, such as the Department of Defense. In addition, we have secured funding from several foundations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Rheumatology Research Foundation. Drug Discovery Departments High-Throughput Screening Chemistry Oncology Infectious Diseases Neuroscience Center for Neuromolecular Research Consulting PipelinePatentsResearch PartnershipsEducation and Training Programs ADDA Discovery Pipeline Through the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance (ADDA), Southern Research collaborates closely with researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to leverage the strengths and capabilities of both institutions in addressing unmet medical needs. Established in 2008, the ADDA facilitates and expedites the discovery and development of new drug therapies. Through internal and external funding sources, the ADDA advances promising discovery research originating in UAB and Southern Research labs through pre-clinical development. The alliance emphasizes research in the areas of oncology, infectious diseases, and CNS/neurological disorders, but also considers other programs in areas of unmet medical need. Southern Research Discovery Pipeline PD1 Small Molecule Inhibitors for Oncology Immuno-Oncology (I/O) is becoming increasing important part of cancer treatment. All of the currently approved I/O drugs are monoclonal antibodies. Small molecule I/O drugs offer several advantages over monoclonal antibodies, including lower cost and the potential for oral and topical uses, extending the range of indications for these inhibitors beyond oncology. We have identified small molecules that inhibit PD1-PDL1 binding. Cell co-culture assays show that our compounds have activity (T-cell proliferation, cytokine modulation, etc.) similar to that of pembrolizumab. Head-to-head in vivo studies also show activity that parallels the activity of pebrolizumab. GLI1 Inhibitors for Solid Tumors GLI1 is a transcription activator that is part of the K-RAS pathway. Certain cancers (including pancreatic and colorectal) can be dependent on GLI1 activity, but GLI1 is not required by normal (non-cancerous) tissue. We have identified small molecule inhibitors of GLI1 that inhibit growth of a chemotherapy-resistant tumor in vivo. Tests with a range of other tumor types are being planned for this first-in-class program. Publications 2018 Publications 2017 Publications 2016 Publications 2015 Publications HOW TO WORK WITH US Southern Research’s Drug Discovery Division welcomes collaboration opportunities with both academic and industrial research partners. Drug Discovery News Southern Research neuroscience lab wins grant for Parkinson’s, ALS research JULY 14, 2021 | BY ROBIN DEMONIA | DRUG DISCOVERY, GENERAL, IN THE NEWS, INDUSTRY INSIGHTS A Southern Research neuroscience lab has received new federal grants totaling almost $3.9 million to advance its study of Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological diseases. The grants from the National […] READ MORE Southern Research and Tonix Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy Results MARCH 25, 2021 | BY ASHLEE MCCLUSKEY | DRUG DEVELOPMENT, DRUG DISCOVERY, IN THE NEWS, INDUSTRY INSIGHTS, INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH Vaccine Candidate TNX-1800 Protected Both Upper and Lower Airways After Challenge with SARS-CoV-2, Suggesting an Ability to Block Forward Transmission TNX-1800 is Based on a Proprietary Vaccine Platform Designed […] READ MORE Southern Research’s screening center searches for clues to COVID-19 treatments JULY 7, 2020 | BY JERRY UNDERWOOD | DRUG DISCOVERY, INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH Inside a high-tech laboratory at Southern Research, a team led by Robert Bostwick, Ph.D., is screening vast numbers of compound samples to identify agents that could become a new treatment […] READ MORE VIEW ALL STORIES About |News |Careers |Contact Us |Support Us |Privacy Policy © 2021 SOUTHERN RESEARCH | WEB DEVELOPMENT BY INFOMEDIA