BioAscent’s synthetic chemistry team is highly experienced, with approximately 80% of our chemists holding a PhD. Our synthetic chemistry capabilities include multi-step synthesis of complex molecules, asymmetric synthesis, route design, building block synthesis, parallel synthesis of ligand arrays and synthesis of reference molecules. Access to synthetic chemistry services at BioAscent is available as part of an integrated project or as a stand-alone service.
The synthetic chemistry team is supported by a range of in-house analytical techniques to ensure the quality of the output both for bespoke synthetic chemistry and for the compound library. These include: 400MHz NMR with multi-nuclei probe and variable temperature capability, LCMS analysis including UPLC, supercritical fluid chromatography to provide access to chiral analysis and preparative enantiomer separations.
Problem solving is a key philosophy of the BioAscent chemistry team, with chemists encouraged to apply new technologies and innovative solutions to overcome synthetic challenges and successfully generate novel chemical matter for clients.
“The chemistry that I’ve seen from the team at BioAscent has been excellent and certainly at the top of CROs I’ve worked with.”
- Project Manager at UK Biotech
To support our talented team we have a comprehensive range of equipment, including:
Cell-active small molecule inhibitors validate the SNM1A DNA repair nuclease as a cancer target. M. Bielinski, L. R. Henderson, Y. Yosaatmadja, L. P. Swift, H. T. Baddock, M. J. Bowen, J. Brem, P. S. Jones, S. P. McElroy, A. Morrison, M. Speake, S. van Boeckel, E. van Doornmalen, J. van Groningen, H. van den Hurk, O. Gileadi, J. A. Newman, P. J. McHugh, C. J. Schofield. View paper.
Investigating the Structure-Activity Relationship of 1,2,4-Triazine G-Protein-Coupled Receptor 84 (GPR84) Antagonists. A. Mahindra, L. Jenkins, S. Marsango, M. Huggett, M. Huggett, L. Robinson, J. Gillespie, M. Rajamanickam, A. Morrison, S. McElroy, I. G. Tikhonova, G. Milligan, A. G. Jamieson. View paper.
The identification and characterisation of autophagy inhibitors from the published kinase inhibitor sets. M Zachari, J. Rainard, G. Pandarakalam, L. Robinson, J. Gillespie, M. Rajamanickam, V. Hamon, A. Morrison, I. Ganley, S. McElroy. View paper.
Identification of a novel class of benzofuran oxoacetic acid-derived ligands that selectively activate cellular EPAC; Cells; 8(11); 1425; 2019. E. Beck, E. Parnell, A. Cowley, A. Porter J. Gillespie, J. Robinson, L. Robinson, A. Pannifer, V. Hamon, P. Jones, A. Morrison, S. McElroy, M. Timmerman, H. Rutjes, P. Mahajan, J. Wiejak, U. Luchowska-Stańska, D. Morgan, G. Barker, H. Rehmann and S. Yarwood. View paper.
Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of N-(4-benzamidino)-oxazolidinones–potent and selective inhibitors of kallikrein-related peptidase 6; chemRxiv DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv.9788276, 2019. E. De Vita, N. Smits, H. van den Hurk, E. Beck, J. Hewitt, G. Baillie, E. Russell, A. Pannifer, V. Hamon, A.Morrison, S. McElroy, P. Jones, N. Ignatenko, N. Gunkel and A. Miller. View paper.
Abstract LB-B17: Characterization of small molecule inhibitors of the Nrf2-Keap1 interaction using MicroScale Thermophoresis. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 17 (1 Supplement), LB-B17-LB-B1. J. Rainard, A. Morrison, A. Pannifer, P. Jones, R. Mead, S. McElroy. View paper.
Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry III, Chapter 1.18, 505-519; Eds. S. Chackalamannil, D. Rotella, S. Ward; Oxford: Elsevier; 2017. European Lead Factory; F. Giordanetto, P. Jones, A. Nelson, J. Benningshof, G. Muller, A. Pannifer, S. van Boeckel and D. Tzalis. View paper.
The importance of triaging in determining the quality of output from high-throughput screening. Future Medicinal Chemistry, 2015, Vol. 7, No. 14, Pages 1847-1852. P. Jones, S. McElroy, A. Morrison, A. Pannifer. View paper.
The Joint European Compound Library: boosting precompetitive research. Drug Discovery Today; 20, 181, 2015. J. Besnard, P. Jones, A. Hopkins and A. Pannifer. View paper.
Posters & case studies
Lead generation: discovery of novel KLK6 Inhibitors as novel anti-cancer drugs. E. De Vita, N. Smits, H. van den Hurk, E. M. Beck, J. Hewitt, G. Baillie, E. Russell, A. Pannifer, V. Hamon, A. Morrison, S. McElroy, P. Jones, N. Ignatenko, N. Gunkel, A. K. Miller. View case study.
Using a library of Pan-Assay Interference (PAINS) small molecules to understand and improve HTS outcomes. G. Baillie, A. Morrison, A. Pannifer, S. McElroy. Download PDF.
Characterization of small molecule inhibitors of the Nrf2-Keap1 interaction using MicroScale Thermophoresis. J. Rainard, M. Matheson, J. Gemmell, A. Morrison, A. Pannifer, P. Jones, R. Mead, S. McElroy. Download PDF.
The European Lead Factory: A Collaborative Approach to Drug Discovery. ESC Chemistry: F. MacLeod, A. Morrison, E. Beck, P. Jones, J. Hewitt, M. Matheson, J. Schulz, J. Robinson, L. Robinson, J. Gillespie, M. Huggett, M. Rajamanickam; ESC CMC: A. Pannifer, V. Hamon; ESC Biology: S. McElroy, M. Speake, G. Baillie, E. Russell, J. Rainard, A. Porter, G. Pandarakalam, N. Clark, D. Tegazzini. PPSC: H. Rutjes, C.A.A. van Boeckel, N. Smits, E. van Doornmalen, T. W. Lam, M. Bras, C. S. Schofield; J. J. Brem; M. A. McDonough, M. Van der Stelt, F. J. Janssen, P.P. Geurink, H. Ovaa, H. S. Overkleeft, A. C. M. van Esbroeck, M. P. Baggelaar, H. den Dulk. Download PDF.
