Countdown to SLAS Europe: Myxotech GmbH

MyxoTech GmbH offers an unprecedented pool of novel small molecules sourced from a unique phylum of bacteria called myxobacteria. Around 80% of known myxobacterial metabolite scaffolds are produced exclusively by myxobacteria. One of these scaffolds (Corallopyronin A) is nearing Phase 1 clinical trials, three metabolite scaffolds have reached clinical trials, and one of these three has been turned into FDA-approved breast cancer drug ixabepilone. This does not come as a surprise though. Natural products or derivatives of natural products account for 25% of all drugs approved since 1981.

Because of the challenge growing myxobacteria – they exist on the fringe of microbial dark matter – their chemistry has only been prospected in a limited number of indications. MyxoTech’s ambition is to making this unprecedented chemical space available to pharma. “Our near-term plan is to build an ML-based platform that will allow us to expand our library systematically to ensure we’re maximising the diversity of this novel, pharmaceutically valuable pool of chemistry available for our clients”, says Peter Sullivan, Managing Director of Myxotech.

In addition, Myxotech provides all necessary natural product drug discovery, lead optimisation, and production titer optimisation services to ensure an efficient drug development timeline for clients pursuing an asset prospected from the company’s library.

According to Sullivan, “we have just completed our library and have sent off a copy of our library to our first client. Our long-term goal is to transition from a CRO to ultimately develop our own assets with industry partners who are focused on intriguing biological targets.”

The company is not participating in the SLAS Europe awards programs this year