Bionetix, a biotech company developing novel oncology drugs, ProQinase, an oncology-focused contract research organization (CRO) recently acquired by Reaction Biology Corporation (Malvern/PA, USA), and MercachemSyncom, a chemistry CRO specializing in medicinal chemistry and comprehensive medicinal chemistry (CMC), have signed a joint multiyear integrated drug-discovery project, starting from target identification (TI) up to clinical candidate selection on an undisclosed target aimed at acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The goal of the three-party team is to advance the project to the clinical phase by 2023. The total investment sum is “significant, of multimillion Euros”, but details are not being disclosed.
 
“We are excited to start this new project with MercachemSyncom and ProQinase,” said DooYoung Jung, chief executive officer, Bionetix. “They have proven their quality in another project of ours, which is currently in the early development phase. When this new opportunity came up, our decision was quick and easy. We are convinced that the team will advance this program very efficiently.”
 
Frank Leemhuis, managing director, MercachemSyncom, said, “Our skilled and experienced team has a proven track record in medicinal chemistry and CMC and built valuable research assets, as the result of a consistent innovation strategy. This research project is an opportunity to build on these qualities, with the goal of serving and creating value for our client. ProQinase is our trusted biology partner, through years of collaboration. Together with Bionetix, we look forward to making essential contributions to this oncology program.”
 
“We are very grateful for our long-lasting partnership with MercachemSyncom, which enables us to deliver combined top-class scientific expertise to Bionetix,” said Sebastian Dempe, chief executive officer, ProQinase. “This new opportunity of a multiyear collaboration, utilizing our entire breadth of oncology preclinical services, aims to develop a high-value asset for our mutual client. Working together on solid but flexible research plans, combined with efficiency, allow for short lead times and robust data-generation processes, which are key to the success of such integrated drug-discovery projects. With MercachemSyncom, we will make sure that our promises to Bionetix are met.”