G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a pivotal role in signaling pathways, and these transmembrane proteins represent an important drug target class. The majority of approved drugs that target GPCRs bind to traditional orthosteric sites. In a recent publication in Nature, Professor Brian Kobilka and his team at Stanford University successfully identified selective negative allosteric modulators …Read More >

As part of our neurobiology services platform, WuXi AppTec offers a comprehensive panel of advanced technologies and validated disease models to help project teams overcome the challenges in predicting the efficacy and safety of their lead candidates. We provide a full spectrum of neurological coverage, from neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders to sensory and rare disorders. …Read More >

WuXi AppTec scientists published a study in the open access archive ChemRxiv describing the discovery of highly selective, novel, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) targeting molecules. HO-1, primarily a heme-degrading enzyme, has been identified as a potential therapeutic target in diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we report the discovery of five series of novel …Read More >

A growing body of in vitro and in vivo evidence has demonstrated that trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) could negatively modulate monoamine transmission and play a crucial role in many psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. WuXi AppTec contributed to a review article in the journal Pharmacology & Therapeutics, discussing the current understanding of …Read More >

DNA-encoded libraries from WuXi AppTec were used in a “steered” screening against either inactive or active μ-opioid receptors in parallel, to find novel negative allosteric modulators of this receptor. The molecule discovered via DEL screening not only shows direct and effective in vitro and in vivo potency, but also helps elucidate the mechanism of negative allosteric modulation of GPCRs. This discovery …Read More >

Cereblon (CRBN) forms an E3 ligase complex together with DDB1, CUL4, and RBX1. CRBN functions as a substrate receptor of this complex for the recognition and binding of proteins targeted for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.  To support the discovery of CRBN-DDB1 proteolysis-targeting chimeras and molecular glues, WuXi AppTec offers an integrated platform of ready-to-go assays …Read More >

The metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR7 is widely expressed throughout the CNS and has been implicated in numerous CNS disorders.  WuXi AppTec scientists recently contributed to a study which led to the identification, optimization, and characterization of a highly potent, novel mGluR7 allosteric agonist, designated CVN636.  The authors show that CVN636 has high selectivity toward mGluR7, …Read More >

Animal studies may provide a close approximation to humans when addressing the key challenge of clinical translatability. In the preclinical setting, new insights into disease models and mechanisms are crucial to efficacy studies. In this webinar, Dr. Deming Xu, Chief Pharmacologist, Executive Director, and Head of In Vivo Pharmacology of WuXi AppTec Discovery Biology will …Read More >

Dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) and leucine zipper-bearing kinase (LZK) have emerged as key regulators of neuronal degeneration and axon growth.  WuXi AppTec scientists recently contributed to a research article in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry demonstrating the use of ligand- and structure-based drug design approaches to discover an amino-pyrazine chemical series of DLK and …Read More >