Optibrium, a developer of software and AI solutions for drug discovery, has acquired BioPharmics LLC, expanding its 3D drug design and modelling offering.
BioPharmics’ CEO, Ajay Jain, and director of applied science, Ann Cleves, join the Optibrium team, respectively focusing on R&D and application science in the newly-created BioPharmics Division.
BioPharmics has developed a series of algorithms and software for 3D ligand-based and structure-based computational drug design, including software for 2D to 3D ligand conversion and conformer generation (ForceGen), molecular docking (Surflex-Dock), molecular similarity (eSim), and binding affinity prediction (QuanSA). These products have all been researched and their results demonstrated in peer-reviewed papers, many published jointly with pharmaceutical industry partners.
The strategic acquisition brings technology for 3D ligand- and structure-based design into Optibrium’s StarDrop platform for small molecule design, optimisation and data analysis, complementing its existing range of artificial intelligence, de novo design, and in silico modelling software. The deal follows a long-standing collaboration between the two companies, including partnering on the development of the Surflex eSim3D StarDrop module.
“After years of close collaboration, we are delighted that Optibrium was chosen to support BioPharmics’ continued scientific innovation and expanding customer base,” Matthew Segall, CEO of Optibrium said.
“We are delighted to welcome Ajay and Ann to the team. Their extensive experience in computational chemistry and biology, alongside BioPharmics’ world-leading software for 3D ligand- and structure-based design, will bring Optibrium to the forefront of these essential technologies for small molecule discovery and design.”
Jain said: “We have always been impressed by Optibrium’s focus on scientific rigour, and we firmly believe that there is no better team to continue the powerful software developments that BioPharmics has introduced over the years. I look forward to working as part of the Optibrium team to expand their internal expertise in 3D drug design, as well as on future drug discovery innovations.”
Cleves added: “We have enjoyed working with Optibrium over the years, and the high levels of mutual respect for the scientific expertise from each side of the partnership has enabled this next step. I am excited to see the new products and ground-breaking science that we will deliver together.”
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