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I’m excited to announce that cryoDuck is now working with Proteros, a real powerhouse in structure-based drug discovery located in Munich, Germany. Proteros is a Contract Research Organization (CRO) with a long track record in integrated drug discovery involving protein production, biophysical and structural studies. Their state-of-the-art discovery engine is designed to unlock even the most intricate drug targets, aligning perfectly with our mission at cryoDuck - to realize cryo-EM’s full drug discovery potential.
Together, we're tackling a key industry need: the industrialization of cryo-EM. Our goal is to improve increase structure throughput, enhance resolution, speed up timelines, and cost-per-structure, thereby enabling true structure-based drug design for all target-based drug discovery. So, let's dive into the journey ahead!
1. It's all about protein, protein, protein!
Remember the first three rules of real estate? Location, location, location! Well, in the world of cryo-EM, the golden rule is: protein, protein, protein. It's that critical. However, the twist lies in the fact that the proteins often targeted by cryo-EM are some of the toughest to produce. This is where Proteros steps in with its unique strengths. With a team of over 100 PhD-trained protein scientists and experience working with tens of thousands of protein constructs, Proteros is perfectly suited to tackle these complex proteins. This critical expertise is one of the many reasons we're thrilled about our partnership.
2. Offering an industrialized cryo-EM service from one hand
Proteros stands as a pioneer in the industrialization of protein crystallography and now aims to bring the same progressive vision to cryo-EM. The primary goal is to decipher even the most complex structures. This is achieved by focusing on the RIGHT protein and harnessing cutting-edge cryo-EM technology and expertise. Our cryo-EM scientific team, with its diverse background, is proficient in expert evaluation and project development that's tailored to specific requests. They work diligently to meet set goals in a timely manner. Proteros' adaptability shines with its in-house microscopes and the ability for large-scale external imaging, catering to a wide range of cryo-EM needs. A key advantage is that Proteros' in-house protein and cryo-EM platforms can operate in tandem, providing dynamic insights that inform and drive the biochemical processes. Proteros collaboration with cryoDuck aims to accelerate the much-needed industrialization of cryo-EM, providing a comprehensive, end-to-end perspective.
3. Europe offers low costs and political stability
As a structure-based drug discovery CRO, Proteros caters to a global clientele. With Proteros, you simply provide a protein name, and in return, you receive your atomic coordinates—Proteros handles everything in between. Europe, as the base of operation, presents an attractive proposition with a cost structure favorably aligned to the typically stringent budgets in structural biology. Moreover, in a world with escalating political tensions, Europe's consistent political stability offers the assurance and security that drug discovery programs and biotech investors seek.
In summary, the alliance between Proteros and cryoDuck opens up tremendous possibilities for cryo-EM in drug discovery. We are aiming to tackle a broad spectrum of use cases, including but not limited to membrane proteins, small targets, and flexible multi-subunit complexes. Moreover, we aim to empower key therapeutic modalities, including high-throughput epitope mapping for antibodies, targeted protein degradation, and gene therapy.
