Cellworks assists Orchid in chemical entity project

Cellworks Research India, the Bangalore-based research and development (R&D) wing of Cellworks Group Inc (California-headquartered company), has assisted Chennai-based Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals by providing system biology technology in carrying out ongoing New Chemical Entity (NCE) research programme.

Orchid Chemicals has adopted the system biology technology to improve its drug discovery efficacy. Cellworks entered into a collaborative agreement in early 2006 with an aim of incorporating new technologies to NCE research programme initiated by Orchid Chemicals.

"The aim behind the project was to identify the mechanism of action of key drugs being used in the industry to treat inflammation disorders. Getting a clear understanding of the underlying drug mechanism and associated toxicities were the driving factors behind the project," said Dr Anandkumar, chairman, board of Cellworks Research India.

According to C Bhaktavatsala Rao, deputy managing director, Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, "The need to understand the detailed mechanisms of actions, biological targets and associated pros and cons of the landscape of key drugs is essential for a differentiated New Molecule Entity (NME) project. We've been closely working with the Cellworks solution for a key internal drug discovery projects and were able to quickly ascertain which biological receptor target to focus on."