Stanford ChEM-H's Medicinal Chemistry Knowledge Center is interested in establishing collaborations with Stanford research groups that are at any stage of the drug discovery process. Below are several examples of ongoing collaborations.
If you would like to engage our support, please contact Mark Smith. He will contact you to set up a face-to-face meeting to discuss your project in more detail.
Host-targeted Antiviral Drug Discovery
ChEM-H Med Chem Team:
Mark Smith, Ph.D. and Kaustabh Basu, Ph.D. candidate
Collaborator:
Jeffery Glenn, M.D., Ph.D., Medicine - Gastroenterology
Project Summary:
The ChEM-H Medicinal Chemistry Knowledge Center is collaborating with the Glenn research group on the design and development of small molecules that target host cell kinases as a novel strategy for broadly effective antivirals. The goal is to develop compounds with antiviral activity against multiple NIAID listed Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens and Agents with Bioterrorism Potential, such as HAV, HCV, HEV, Enterovirus 71, Ebola and Influenza. This collaboration is supported by an NIH Center of Excellence for Translation Research grant awarded to Dr. Glenn.
Targeting CREB for Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
ChEM-H Med Chem Team:
Samanta Capolicchio, Ph.D., and Mark Smith, Ph.D.
Collaborator:
Kathy Sakamoto M.D., Pediatrics – Hematology & Oncology
Project Summary:
The ChEM-H Medicinal Chemistry Knowledge Center is collaborating with the Sakamoto research group to target CREB for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). CREB is a transcription factor that controls cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. It is overexpressed in bone marrow cells from the majority of patients with acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia and is a potential target for therapy. The collaboration is focused on the development of small molecule inhibitors of CREB function that offer the potential for increased efficacy and reduced toxicity as compared to the current standard of care for AML.
Design and Synthesis of Knottin Drug Conjugates
ChEM-H Med Chem Team:
Nick Cox, Ph.D. and Mark Smith, Ph.D.
Collaborators:
Jennifer Cochran, Ph.D., Bioengineering and Gerald Grant, M.D., F.A.C.S., Neurosurgery
Project Summary:
The ChEM-H Medicinal Chemistry Knowledge Center is collaborating with the Cochran and Grant groups to develop knottin peptides as vehicles for drug delivery and as imaging tools, with particular emphasis on finding new ways to treat pediatric brain tumors. The Med Chem team is focused on the design and synthesis of novel knottin-drug conjugates, including the small molecule payload, linker, and tumor-targeting peptide.
Inducers of Beta Cell Proliferation for the Potential Treatment of Diabetes
ChEM-H Med Chem Team:
Paul Allegretti, Ph.D., Tim Horton, Ph.D. candidate, and Mark Smith, Ph.D.
Collaborator:
Justin Annes, M.D., Ph.D., Medicine – Endocrinology
Project Summary:
The loss of insulin-producing β-cells is a cardinal pathologic feature of diabetes. Stimulation of β-cell regeneration has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for future treatment. In collaboration with the Annes research group, the ChEM-H Medicinal Chemistry Knowledge Center is developing small molecules that can promote β-cell generation.
Development of Novel Antimalarials
ChEM-H Med Chem Team:
Mark Smith, Ph.D.
Collaborator:
Ellen Yeh, M.D., Ph.D., Biochemistry, Pathology, and Microbiology & Immunology
Project Summary:
Malaria caused by Plasmodium spp parasites has an enormous disease burden that disproportionately affects the world’s poorest and youngest. New antimalarials with novel drug mechanisms are desperately needed in the face of existing or emerging drug resistance to all available therapies. The ChEM-H Medicinal Chemistry Knowledge Center is collaborating with the Yeh research group on the design and synthesis of novel small molecule inhibitors targeting the malaria parasite.
