Welcome to Vernalis Research
We develop and apply fragment and structure-based methods to solve problems in drug discovery, and have generated cell active lead compounds and development candidates against targets in oncology, neurodegeneration, anti-infectives and inflammation.
Our approach
Our established group of experienced scientists is based at our fully-equipped research laboratories in Cambridge, UK.
We integrate fragment-based approaches, structural biology, biophysics, assay technology and molecular modelling with extensive synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry expertise to enable drug discovery on both established and novel targets.
We have the experience and capabilities for progressing projects from target identification through to clinical candidate. We have generated lead compounds on enzymes, protein-protein interactions and GPCRs, leading to an average of one pre-clinical candidate per year, with disclosed programs for inhibitors of Chk1, Hsp90, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, FAAH and A2A.
Our business model
We balance an internal portfolio of drug discovery projects with fully integrated research collaborations on targets with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and academic partners. Our shared-risk approach ensures a high level of engagement from our scientists and rewards success. Current disclosed collaborations include those with Servier, Daiichi Sankyo, Lundbeck, PhoreMost and Asahi Kasei Pharma, and we seek additional partnerships.
We also have an extensive portfolio of partnered and unpartnered drug candidates in pre-clinical and clinical development. To find out more, please contact us.
Latest news
Ligand Subsidiary Vernalis and PhoreMost Limited Announce Drug Discovery Collaboration for Novel Oncology Target
SAN DIEGO & CAMBRIDGE, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) and PhoreMost Limited today announced the signing of a research collaboration agreement between Ligand’s subsidiary Vernalis and PhoreMost on an undisclosed novel oncology target. PhoreMost [...]
Ligand Licenses VER250840 to Cumulus Oncology
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) today announced the signing of a license agreement granting Cumulus Oncology exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize VER250840, a novel, oral, selective, preclinical Chk1 Kinase Inhibitor [...]
Success Milestone in Collaboration with Asahi Kasei Pharma
CAMBRIDGE, England (December 17, 2018) – Vernalis Research, a Ligand Company, announced the achievement of a £1 million success milestone in its drug discovery collaboration with Asahi Kasei Pharma (AKP). This collaboration with AKP [...]
