Cubist Pharmaceuticals receives three SBIR phase I grants for the development of novel anti-infectives.CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1995--Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., has been awarded three SBIR SBIR Small Business Innovation Research (program/grant) SBIR Space Based Infra-Red SBIR Speaker-Boundary Interference SBIR Site Backsurface-referenced Ideal Plane/Range (silicon wafers) phase I grants to develop novel antimicrobial agents Antimicrobial agents Chemical compounds biosynthetically or synthetically produced which either destroy or usefully suppress the growth or metabolism of a variety of microscopic or submicroscopic forms of life. for the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) A lung infection that affects people with weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS or people taking medicines that weaken the immune system. Mentioned in: AIDS, Antiprotozoal Drugs, Sulfonamides , tuberculosis, and other bacterial and fungal infections. The grants, totaling $300,000, will be used for further development of the company's proprietary drug discovery technology focusing on protein-RNA interactions and for identification of compounds with potential as antimicrobial agents. The SBIR grants, funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and administered by the National Institutes of Health, will support Cubist's research programs directed toward the development of small molecule novel therapeutics that selectively block protein syntheis in pathogenic organisms. These therapeutic agents are designed to inhibit a family of enzymes called the transfer RNA transfer RNA n. See tRNA. transfer RNA tRNA; see ribonucleic acid. (tRNA) synthetases which are found in virtually every biological cell. Since tRNA synthetases are essential to all cells, selective inhibition selective inhibition n. See competitive inhibition. of protein synthesis can be potentially employed against a variety of bacterial or fungal pathogens. "We are very pleased with these awards," commented Francis P. Tally, M.D., vice president of research and development. "SBIR grants are awarded by a competitive, peer-reviewed process to companies whose projects demonstrate strong scientific merit and commercial potential. To receive three such grants this year represents a strong validation of our technological approach." Cubist is a privately held biotechnology company that recently completed a $9 million second round of venture financing. Its investor group includes DSV DSV Deep Submergence Vehicle DSV Diving Support Vessel DSV Dynamic Signature Verification DSV Dilute Solution Viscosity DSV Directia Sanitar Veterinara DSV Dive Surface Valve (rebreather) Partners; Burr, Egan, Deleage & Co.; Weiss, Peck & Greer Venture Partners, L.P.; Interwest Partners; Advent International Corp.; Hambrecht & Quist Capital Management; and Comdisco Venture Group. Cubist's mission is to establish itself as an infectious disease Infectious disease A pathological condition spread among biological species. Infectious diseases, although varied in their effects, are always associated with viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites and aberrant proteins known as prions. chemotherapy company that can respond to the challenges posed by the emergence of pathogenic organisms that have developed resistance to current therapeutic agents. The Cubist scientific platform integrates an understanding of protein-RNA interactions and expertise in medicinal and combinatorial chemistry with high-throughput screening capabilities. CONTACT: Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. Scott Rocklage, Ph.D., 617/576-1999 |
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