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.
Latest news
Ligand to Divest Vernalis Research Operations
Consideration includes $25 million cash payment plus Ligand retains economics on
completed partnerships and share of economics on current collaborations
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (October 12, 2020) – Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) announces the sale of Ligand’s […]
HitGen to acquire Vernalis, a leader in structure-based drug discovery
CHENGDU, CHINA – HITGEN (688222.SH) announces it has entered into a definitive agreement with Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: LGND) to acquire Vernalis (R&D) Limited, Cambridge, UK-based world leaders in fragment and structure-based drug discovery research. […]
Vernalis and Diamond turbocharge structure-based optimization of compounds
The high throughput crystallography facility at Diamond (XChem) can be combined with screening of crude reaction mixtures to rapidly identify how to improve the affinity of compounds (fragments and hits) binding to a […]
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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 concept to clinic. We have generated lead compounds on enzymes, protein-protein interactions and GPCRs, leading to pre-clinical candidates for 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. Recently 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.
