Max-Planck-Institute spin off signs cooperation agreement with drug discovery-focused CRO

A cooperation agreement has been formed between drug discovery-focused contract research organisation (CRO), NovAliX, and a spin-off company of the Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, ProteoPlex.

Under the terms of the agreement, NovAliX will exclusively offer purified human 20S proteasome to pharmaceutical companies as well as structural biology analysis by X-ray crystallography of the protein complex.

Proteasomes are cellular waste disposal units, which are relied upon heavily by cancer cells to dispose of their waste and as such are promising targets for cancer drug development.

ProteoPlex has exclusive access to Max-Planck patents and know-how concerning the optimised production, purification and crystallisation of high-grade proteins. For the 20S proteasome, these novel crystal structures could enable the discovery of improved chemical mechanisms for the inhibition of this proteasome. Additionally, NovAliX will initially have exclusive access to these ultra-high quality 20s proteasomes and to other clinically relevant protein structures in the future.

“We are delighted that, thanks to our cooperation with ProteoPlex, we can strengthen our expertise in structural biology and we can offer these high-quality proteasomes to the pharmaceutical industry for oncology research,” said Denis Zeyer, chief executive officer of NovAliX. “We have a well-established relationship with the Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry thanks to our cooperation in the field of cryo-electron microscopy. We are delighted to be extending that partnership.”

“NovAliX is a perfect partner for us to translate the results of Max-Planck's basic research into market-relevant products,” stated Joerg Wamser, co-founder and managing director of ProteoPlex.