posted 10-02-2003 04:36 PM            

The growing resistance of bacteria against existing antibiotics is urging life scientists to discover new remedies against infectious diseases. Protein’eXpert (PX) is therefore conducting its in-house research on key bacterial molecules, namely Class B Penicillin Binding Proteins (PBPs), as a promising research pathway towards an upgrading of β-lactam antibiotics.
PX’s rational approach combines the identification and structural analysis of targets, with their enzymatic characterisation, high-throughput screening and molecular modelling. PX uses its technological platform and know-how to produce, optimise, crystallise and elucidate the 3D-structure of class B PBPs which are key bacterial molecules because of their close inter-relationship with β-lactams. Cracking the high-resolution 3D-structure of these particular proteins will enable the determination of the optimal β-lactam derivative inhibiting their activity.

State of the Art

PX has taken up the challenge and engineered a so-called “mini-protein” named Mini-PBP2x. This research program is partly developed thanks to proprietary Protein Polishing technology which enables the deletion of a protein’s non-essential floppy loops. The end result is an extremely compact compound. This particular protein possesses a higher structural resolution which yields superior downstream results for drug designers.

The R&D project is founded on the use of Grenoble-based IBS’s (Institute of Structural Biology – part of CEA) patent application entitled : “PBP2x mini-protein of Streptococcus Pneumoniae and applications”.

PX has set up a portfolio of Mini-PBP2x compounds coming from antibiotic-resistant bacteria: wild type & 3 clinical-resistant molecules. PX’s protein engineering technologies have permitted to increase the resolution of the protein’s structure by more than 1 Å to about 1.7 Å. Such a high-resolution enables a precise analysis of ‘protein-antibiotics’ interactions.
In addition, the company is in a position to grant access to a library of clinical-resistant strains for over 2OO candidates of class B PBP2x.

Business Development Opportunities

PX is seeking industrial and financial partners to bring this high-potential research project further along its pipeline. Please contact us for further information or to start exploring partnering options.

About Protein’eXpert, Grenoble, France

PX s.a. is a rapidly expanding biotechnology company working at the crossroads of proteomics, genomics and high-throughput recombinant proteins production. The company’s core mission is to provide premium services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as academic laboratories. It strives to accompany them as a key partner within their target or therapeutic protein research programs. PX was founded in 2000 as a spin-off of Grenoble’s IBS with headquarters in the heart of the local scientific community. Leading research facilities like the ESRF (European Synchrotron Research Facility) are located in its vicinity.

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