Click Chemistry for Diagnostic & Therapeutic Agents
Click chemistry allows scientists to permanently join (“click”) together molecular components with unusual precision and stability. Integrated Diagnostics is using the process to create a synthetic class of diagnostics and therapeutic agents that hold the promise of replacing monoclonal antibodies. We’re also using click chemistry to manufacture peptides and various small molecules.
The process allows us to craft site-specific binding molecules that neatly “click” onto the targeted protein where they have self-assembled on the target’s surface. In this way, the process – which is synthetic and highly scalable – is “directed” by the actual site targeted. The resulting molecule is highly stable, both on the shelf and in vivo.
We licensed click chemistry from The Scripps Research Institute and are pleased to have the scientist who developed the process, K. Barry Sharpless, Ph.D., as one of our advisors.
“With its elegant, strong bonds, click chemistry provides a striking analogy with our work to bring together a network of collaborators who share Integrated Diagnostics’ goal of creating a new generation of highly targeted diagnostics and therapeutics. We are very excited that Barry, Scripps Research and click chemistry are part of this process.”