Targeted and Focused Libraries

Focus libraries can be designed from richer and more diverse collections by methods such as in silico docking to targets or or calculations based on molecular fingerprint similarity. These libraries are similar to the reference sets of known compounds, and their target activity is consistent with the data retrieved in literature and annotated compound databases. Focus libraries contain key libraries of small molecule compounds with potential biological activity against certain diseases and libraries with specific uses, including antiviral research, antibacterial research, anticancer research and CNS property space, etc.

Fig.1 Approaches to ion channel library design. (Harris, C.J.; et al. 2011)

Kinases are essential to many stages of cell life. They are a broad class of enzymes that catalyze phosphorylation, which affect the reactivity and binding properties of substrates and regulate energy balance. The kinase library is designed to modulate biological targets while complying with standards of similar or lead-like drugs.

Ion channels are membrane proteins expressed in almost all living cells and are one of the most important targets for the treatment of many different pathophysiology. We used a variety of tools to predict ion channel blockers between compound collections, thereby designing an ion channel focused library (fingerprint similarity). Ion channel targeted libraries are designed through receptor-based methods.

Proteases are a class of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins. According to the way they degrade polypeptides, proteases are mainly divided into two types: exoproteases and endoproteases. The former cleaves the peptide bond at the end of the polypeptide chain, and the latter cuts the peptide chain internally. Protease is involved in various physiological processes and is a potential drug target for various diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

There is growing interest in medium and large macrocyclic compounds closely related to the field of protein-protein interaction (PPI) . With increasing attention to all aspects of protein-protein interaction (PPI), we have designed a proprietary collection of potential PPI modulators for drug discovery through ligand- and receptor-based approaches .

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression means the regulation of gene selective transcription and the regulation of gene post-transcription. Characterizing heredity has the potential to explain mechanism of aging, human development and the origin of cancer. Epigenetic targeted libraries and focused libraries designed by ligand-based methods and structure-based methods collect active small molecules related to epigenetics, which are suitable for epigenetic research.

The incidence and severity of central nervous system diseases are increasing globally. CNS screening libraries provide a large number of compounds with central nervous system application properties for researchers studying central nervous system related diseases.

Nuclear receptors are one of the most abundant transcription regulators in multicellular organisms. They play important functions in metabolism, sex determination and differentiation, reproductive development and homeostasis maintenance. Based on the fingerprint similarity of compounds with anti-nuclear hormone receptor activity, nuclear receptor libraries were selected and designed.

Polycyclic compounds in which two monocyclic rings share one carbon atom are called spiro compounds. There are many spiro compounds in nature, some of which have been used in biomedical research and used as scaffolds for new therapeutic agents. Based on the spiro ring skeleton, spiro libraries have designed new compounds with 3D characteristics.

Natural products have always held an important position for pharmaceutical companies. Natural products and their derivatives play an important role in medical research. Natural products can be successfully used for difficult targets. In addition, many researchers believe that natural products and their derivatives also have advantages for the research and regulation of protein functions.

Anti-inflammatory is to reduce inflammation by treatment or medicine. Anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain through reducing inflammation, which is different from opioids that affect the central nervous system for pain reduction, accounting for about 50% of analgesics. There are mainly two kinds of anti-inflammatory drugs used in clinical practice: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Anti-cancer is to treat malignancies or cancerous growths by using anti-cancer drugs or combination of drugs and other treatments such as radiation therapy and surgery. In 2003, a new technique was developed to search for effective anti-cancer drugs. The researchers selected more than 23000 compounds through screening techniques to kill cancer cells while keeping healthy cells free from harm. The system identified 9 compounds, including a previously unknown anti-cancer drug, which is an important factor for fighting cancer.

Antibiotics, also known as antibacterials, are antibacterial drugs used to treat and prevent bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria. A limited number of antibiotics also have antigenic activity. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses such as colds or influenza. Drugs that suppress viruses are called antiviral drugs, not antibiotics. In modern society, most antibacterials are semisynthetic modifications of natural compound.

Antiprotozoal drug is a class of pharmaceuticals using to treat protozoan infection. The antiprotozoal drugs have the different mechanisms in diverse cases. For example, the aminoglycoside antiprotozoal for treating leishmaniasis is deemed to inhibit protein synthesis, while eflornithine, a drug used for treating trypanosomiasis, inhibits ornithine decarboxylase.

Antituberculosis drugs for treating diseases caused by Mycobacterium genus, including tuberculosis and leprosy, have been affecting mankind since ancient times. Combination chemotherapy is critical for killing heterogeneous bacterial cells and preventing resistance within the host under different conditions.