Research Capabilities

Our research and development platform spans the full range of technologies required to discover small molecule hits and develop them to clinical candidates. Critically, each of our novel drug discovery projects is underpinned by leading medical researchers with cutting edge expertise in the target biology.

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

ZYDRA BIOTECH is built on a foundation of strong, collaborative partnerships. Our project teams are comprised of individuals from multiple institutes across a range of disciplines. This allows feedback to be provided directly, so the latest assay data is informing decisions about the direction of the chemistry.

The exposure of our scientists to other disciplines within the drug development pipeline creates more knowledgeable individuals with a broader skill set and seeds the ecosystem with key talent.

HIGH THROUGHPUT SCREENING

ZYDRA BIOTECH has access to two established HTS facilities in South Africa, taking advantage of their many years of combined operating experience. These facilities specialize in developing and miniaturizing molecular, cell based and high content assays and together have prosecuted more than 100 HTS campaigns, many in collaboration with large pharmaceutical companies.

ZYDRA BIOTECH uses a purpose-built compound management facility with state of the art storage equipment and dispensing technology.
ZYDRA BIOTECH also draws on proven fragment screening expertise to identify high quality starting points for our medicinal chemists.

DRUG METABOLISM AND PHARMACOKINETICS

Through the Centre for Drug Candidate Optimization (CDCO), ZYDRA BIOTECH is highly proficient in physical and reformulation chemistry, pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism and bioanalysis. Profiling of compounds routinely includes analysis of physicochemical properties, permeability, metabolism and metabolite profiling, metabolic drug-drug interactions, in vivo pharmacokinetics, stability testing and impurity profiling. CDCO also provides expertise in preclinical formulation development, solid-state characterization and salt selection for lead compounds.

MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY

ZYDRA BIOTECH medicinal chemistry leadership team has extensive experience of delivering clinical candidates in big pharma against a range of therapeutic targets including GPCRs, ion channels and enzymes. With considerable in-house expertise in HTS triage, lead generation and lead optimization, the medicinal chemistry team has all the necessary skills to identify and optimize lead series to deliver clinical candidates.

TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY BIOLOGY

Our pre-clinical development of proprietary drug candidates is advanced by project-specific relationships with clinicians and scientists from South Africans leading medical research institutions and hospitals. ZYDRA BIOTECH translational research group develops, validates and performs target-specific functional bioassays, biomarker assays, in vivo models and imaging strategies for the evaluation of novel compounds From bench to bedside – our expertise in immunology biology, translational research and clinical practice ensures that all our projects will have the best possible chance of transitioning seamlessly from preclinical to clinical development.

E-RESEARCH TECHNOLOGIES

E-Research Technologies underpin data management within ZYDRA BIOTECH. These capabilities were established in 2015 and have evolved over the lifetime of the organization to meet changing needs with regards to functionality, flexibility and security. The suite of technologies provides researchers with access to a tool box of world class data management, analysis and visualization tools. An Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) assists with the standardized capture of research data. Electronic records captured in this manner can be easily interrogated and shared with collaborators or industry partners to undertake further research or due diligence activities.