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Celtarys Research: Innovative Chemistry to Illuminate Biology
- Dr. Sonia Martínez Arca -
- Celtarys Research -
- Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España -
Abstract
In the drug discovery process, gold standard techniques have relied on radioactivity for identifying and characterizing new drug candidates. In the last years, due to radioactivity stringent requirements, high costs, and environmental concerns, fluorescence-based assays started to be used. However, fluorescent ligand employment has not been adopted widely due to the challenging chemical development process and the consequent lack of optimal fluorescent probes available for the majority of the therapeutical targets. Our technology allows overcoming this bottleneck making fluorescence-based techniques a real option in drug discovery. Our USP is the fact that we can typically design and synthesize novel fluoro ligands for completely new targets, and orphan targets, in a fraction of the usual time, thanks to our patented synthesis technology.
We have initially applied our technology to GPCRs, generating fluorescent GPCR probes with outstanding binding and selectivity characteristics, that have been externally validated in several HTS assays (FRET, HCS, Flow cytometry, Fluorescence Polarization…). We count with more than 20 validated fluorescent ligands for several GPCR families such as Dopamine, Serotonin, Adenosine, and Cannabinoids. These fluorescent GPCR ligands can be potent tools for GPCR drug discovery, positioning Celtarys as a game changer technology in the sector.
About Dr. Sonia Martínez Arca
With a scientific background – Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology- she has developed a classic research career for more than ten years, in Spanish and European centers – Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (Madrid), Curie Institute (Paris), Vall d’Hebron Hospital (Barcelona).
Since 2005 she is dedicated to research and innovation management. She has held leading positions in this field at the Barcelona Science Park, the University of Santiago de Compostela, the IDIS Foundation of the University Clinical Hospital of Santiago and the regional Ministry of Health in Galicia. Since 2018 she is focused on start-up acceleration and entrepreneurship. Celtarys is the second spin-off she leads, after a successful experience with another knowledge-based company, Sigillum Knowledge Solutions.
Author list and affiliations
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Sonia Martínez Arca, Celtarys Research
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Maria Majellaro, Celtarys Research
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Eddy Sotelo, Celtarys Research and University of Santiago de Compostela
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Gonzalo Pazos, Celtarys Research
Dr. Sonia Martínez Arca on the web
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