Hi Wayne,You wrote;We can look at Phenomica as a potential...

Hi Wayne,

You wrote;

We can look at Phenomica as a potential template for a transaction which could involve a cornerstone partner in synthetic biology. Recapping, Phylogica and Cambridge University spun off their collaborative work into a new corporate entity.

Most definitely a possibility Wayne. As we know, Phylogica has been granted a patent on Synthetic Phylomer Libraries, which is relevant to phenotypic screening amongst other applications. It appears that Phylogica are certainly looking for a partner to possibly fund a synthetic array library that can be used for phenotypic screening. Remember this would be an arrayed library for their next generation phenotypic screening and as highlighted by the CFO, their prospective partners would be assisting them with the development.

CFO reply (my post on 15/04/13):

Hi Tony

We started using the term 2nd generation when we upgraded the libraries at the end of last year. We are making further enhancements this year (eg: new genomes, macrocyclics etc) so perhaps we should use a different phrase. The synthetic library is different again. We haven't built such a library as yet, but we have a patent and we are now talking to prospective partners to assist with the development. 

Nick

Wayne, you may also recall this section re Phenomica in the Annual Report:

Subsequently, the Cambridge group has developed and patented a new phenotypic screening technique that enables testing of up to ten million distinct Phylomers in a single day. This platform is being commercialised by Phenomica, the purpose-formed entity established by Phylogica and Cambridge University, which is dedicated to the application of our Phylomer® technology for therapeutic target identification and validation.

I believe this new phenotypic screening technique could also be used with the synthetic libraries (once developed) but I'm thinking it would be more relevant to the 2nd generation libraries of 400 billion peptides. I  imagine it would enable the Phylomers to be screened in vast pools. Purpose would be for target identification and validation as well as drug discovery.

CFO reply (my post on 15/04/13):

Hi Tony,

The synthetic libraries are different to our 2nd generation libraries. The 2nd gen libraries have greater diversity (more than 400 Billion at last count) than the first gen libraries based on more genes (like cell-specific pathogens) and greater sampling of the genomes. We are also developing focused libraries that trap structures such as macrocyclic and open reading frames. The synthetic biology angle is just another string to our bow.

Nick

A large synthetic library would be very powerful but with different uses than their 2nd generation libraries.

Regards,
Tony