Denovo Sciences Inc, a pioneer in AI-driven drug discovery based on synthetic data, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), and Sidra Medicine are engaging in a collaboration to identify and develop novel drug candidates for homocystinuria, a rare and genetic metabolic disorder.
The partnership aims to address a significant unmet medical need, particularly in the Mena region, where the condition has one of the highest prevalence rates in the world.
Homocystinuria is an inherited disorder that impairs the body's ability to process the amino acid methionine, leading to a toxic buildup of homocysteine in the blood. This can cause severe complications, including developmental delays, vision problems, skeletal abnormalities, and a high risk of life-threatening blood clots and strokes.
While current treatments involving strict dietary restrictions and supplements exist, they have limited efficacy for a significant portion of patients. The need for new therapeutic options is especially critical in the Mena region, where prevalence rates, such as in Qatar (one in 1,800 births), are drastically higher than the global average (more than one in 200,000 births).
“We are thrilled to partner with prestigious institutions like Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar and Sidra Medicine,” said Hovakim Zakaryan, CEO of Denovo Sciences. “By combining our cutting-edge computational design with WCM-Q’s outstanding biological and pre-clinical expertise, we are confident we can discover a much-needed therapy for homocystinuria patients, particularly in the region where it is most needed.”
The collaboration will leverage the unique strengths of all three organisations. Denovo Sciences Inc will conduct quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics studies and will deploy its proprietary AI-based Denovo Platform to generate promising drug candidates with high efficacy. WCM-Q will contribute its state-of-the-art research facilities, deep expertise in metabolic diseases, and a world-class team of researchers to study the drug candidates delivered by Denovo Sciences Inc. Sidra Medicine will employ its extensive clinical expertise in homocystinuria to decide on the next steps regarding implementation of the novel candidates in the clinic.
“This three-way collaboration builds on the combined expertise of Denovo Sciences, WCM-Q, and Sidra Medicine to tackle a devastating disease that affects the multiple families in Qatar,” said Prof Khaled Machaca, professor of Systems and Computational Biomedicine/Vice Dean for Research, Innovations, and Commercialisation at WCM-Q.
“Our expertise and specialist treatment protocols for children with rare diseases, makes us a strong partner in this ground-breaking initiative with Denovo Sciences and WCM-Q,” added Prof Tawfeg Ben Omran, division chief, Genomic and Genetic Medicine at Sidra Medicine.
The partnership aims to address a significant unmet medical need, particularly in the Mena region, where the condition has one of the highest prevalence rates in the world.
Homocystinuria is an inherited disorder that impairs the body's ability to process the amino acid methionine, leading to a toxic buildup of homocysteine in the blood. This can cause severe complications, including developmental delays, vision problems, skeletal abnormalities, and a high risk of life-threatening blood clots and strokes.
While current treatments involving strict dietary restrictions and supplements exist, they have limited efficacy for a significant portion of patients. The need for new therapeutic options is especially critical in the Mena region, where prevalence rates, such as in Qatar (one in 1,800 births), are drastically higher than the global average (more than one in 200,000 births).
“We are thrilled to partner with prestigious institutions like Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar and Sidra Medicine,” said Hovakim Zakaryan, CEO of Denovo Sciences. “By combining our cutting-edge computational design with WCM-Q’s outstanding biological and pre-clinical expertise, we are confident we can discover a much-needed therapy for homocystinuria patients, particularly in the region where it is most needed.”
The collaboration will leverage the unique strengths of all three organisations. Denovo Sciences Inc will conduct quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics studies and will deploy its proprietary AI-based Denovo Platform to generate promising drug candidates with high efficacy. WCM-Q will contribute its state-of-the-art research facilities, deep expertise in metabolic diseases, and a world-class team of researchers to study the drug candidates delivered by Denovo Sciences Inc. Sidra Medicine will employ its extensive clinical expertise in homocystinuria to decide on the next steps regarding implementation of the novel candidates in the clinic.
“This three-way collaboration builds on the combined expertise of Denovo Sciences, WCM-Q, and Sidra Medicine to tackle a devastating disease that affects the multiple families in Qatar,” said Prof Khaled Machaca, professor of Systems and Computational Biomedicine/Vice Dean for Research, Innovations, and Commercialisation at WCM-Q.
“Our expertise and specialist treatment protocols for children with rare diseases, makes us a strong partner in this ground-breaking initiative with Denovo Sciences and WCM-Q,” added Prof Tawfeg Ben Omran, division chief, Genomic and Genetic Medicine at Sidra Medicine.