April 30, 2012 – Alectos today announced its support for NSERC funding for the group of Prof. L. Craig at Simon Fraser University, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, in a project titled “Structural analysis of small molecule inhibitors of a novel target for the treatment of cancer”.
Compared to normal cells, cancer cells exhibit aberrant metabolism characterized by increased glucose uptake and rapid growth. The collaboration between Alectos Therapeutics and the Craig group at SFU aims to characterize a series of small-molecule drug candidates that possess the ability to selectively disrupt cancer metabolism. This project will capitalize on the unique protein biochemistry, structural modeling and crystallization capabilities of the Craig group at SFU. Using a collaborative approach, Alectos and the Craig group will optimize the lead compounds for potency and selectivity using protein crystallography and molecular modeling techniques. The success of this project may lead to a better understanding of cancer cell metabolism and ultimately, a new treatment for cancer.