DRUG DISCOVERY

The enormous molecular diversity that nature offers is unmatched by other synthetically derived compound libraries. Hence, the focus of research & development at Stiefel Laboratories in its drug discovery program is primarily targeted on natural product chemistry.

Stiefel Laboratories supports projects with leading pharmacology departments universities, including three natural product projects in India. The overall aim of these projects, based at the University of Gulbarga and Kuvempu, is to screen plant extracts for medicinal activity. Using advanced chromatographic techniques in conjunction with cell based assay systems, leading compounds are isolated for development.

DRUG MECHANISM and ASSAY DEVELOPMENT

The sequencing of the human genome has opened up a wealth of opportunities for scientists to explore the mechanism of drug action.

At the University of Manchester, Stiefel Laboratories supports a research program that aims to identify and validate the genes involved in the pathological process of psoriasis. Ultimately, information gathered from the project will be used to enhance the development of diagnostic and drug discovery processes.

In addition to academic research, Stiefel Laboratories is working in collaboration with commercial parties using array based technologies to develop specific assay systems for psoriasis.

Research into the mechanism of action of fungal infections is also high on the Stiefel Laboratories priority list. In collaboration with Dr. Sarah Gurr and Lucy Ball (CASE student) at the University of Oxford, Stiefel Laboratories is looking at pathogenicity and virulence determinants of Trichophyton rubrum.

Penetration and interaction of antifungal agents through human nail are of critical importance in the treatment of nail mycosis. Research, sponsored by Stiefel Laboratories in Brazil at the University of Maringa, is using the technique of photoacoustic spectroscopy to evaluate the penetration of antifungal agents through the human nail.

The development of reliable analytical techniques and assays is essential to the success of both our research and clinical programs. For example, at the Skin Research Center, located at the University of Leeds, Stiefel Laboratories is currently sponsoring the development of a rapid viability assay for the quantification of Malassezia assay using fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis.