Metrion Biosciences, a specialist ion channel CRO and drug discovery company, and Venomtech, a U.K. biotechnology company with a venom library, announced a collaboration agreement that will see the two companies combine their resources and expertise to search for novel ion channel modulators for use in drug discovery research.

By combining the expertise and screening capabilities of Metrion with Venomtech’s diverse venom collection, knowledge of venom-based drug discovery, hit prioritization and bio-guided fractionation capability, this partnership aims to identify, and rapidly exploit, novel tools for ion channel drug discovery research.  

Venoms are well proven sources of potent and selective ion channel modulators, and have provided the foundation for many ion channel drug discovery programs to date.  Metrion will screen a targeted selection of Venomtech’s venom library against a panel of prioritized ion channel targets to search for, identify and characterize new ion channel modulators and binding sites. Venomtech will use phylogenetic and geographical diversity analysis to design and build a targeted venom discovery array.

Dr. Andrew Southan, head of Commercial Operations at Metrion Biosciences, said, “The Metrion team is very pleased to add Venomtech to our network of collaborators. Via this partnership we can rapidly explore the UK’s largest venom collection for novel pharmacological tools for use in ion channel assay development, validation and drug discovery research. The results of this partnership could significantly boost the chances of successful drug discovery against our prioritized ion channel targets, and Metrion is looking forward to a highly productive working relationship.”

Steve Trim, founder and managing director, Venomtech, commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity to combine our knowledge and expertise in venom-based drug discovery with the great team at Metrion and their electrophysiology excellence. This combination of skills is set to solve many of the challenges of getting good drugs for ion channel targets.”