Breakthrough crystallization technology for protein structure determination.

Osaka (Japan), Strasbourg (France)--(BUSINESS WIRE)--, AliX, a NovAliX company with capabilities in structural biology and SOSHO, an Osaka university spin-off with expertise in crystallogenesis have announced today that they have entered into an exclusive agreement to supply biopharmaceuticals companies with protein structure determination solutions for difficult targets.

Within the frame of the collaboration, AliX will provide SOSHO with its protein engineering expertise and SOSHO will apply its breakthrough crystallization technology. SOSHO is using femto-second laser irradiation of protein solution to induce crystal nucleation and to promote crystal growth. Laser irradiation allows exploring novel crystallization conditions leading to higher quality crystals with better diffraction properties.

Joining forces, AliX and SOSHO will offer enhanced protein structure determination services to biopharmaceuticals companies. In addition, AliX and SOSHO have already started a research collaboration to determine crystal structures of intractable targets relevant to therapeutic research. According to Dr Jean-Paul Renaud, CSO of AliX, and Pr Tsuyoshi Inoue, CSO of SOSHO, combining the expertise of both companies will provide a unique opportunity to solve difficult problems, including membrane protein crystallization.

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About NovAliX

NovAliX is a contract research organization. Through a set of capabilities including X-ray protein crystallography, innovative ESI-MS screening technology, medicinal chemistry and molecular modeling, NovAliX offers comprehensive services in research and development of small molecules. NovAliX, a team of 60 scientists, is located in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities (1600 m2) in the Strasbourg-Illkirch BioParc.

About SOSHO

SOSHO is a technology-based company that spun off from Osaka University Center for Advanced Science and Innovation. SOSHO develops equipments and tools for X-ray crystallography and is applying its breakthrough laser irradiation technology to enhance structural studies of both proteins and solid form organic compounds.

Contact

Denis Zeyer, PhD, CEO
AliX, a NovAliX company
BioParc, boulevard Sébastien Brant
F-67400 Illkirch,
France
Email: dz@novalix-pharma.com

Hiroaki Adachi, PhD, President
SOSHO
1-16-18 Honmachi,
Chuo-ku Osaka 541-0053,
Japan
Email: adachi@so-sho.jp