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• Zenobia uses methods co-invented by
its founders. This method, fragment-based lead discovery (FBLD),
is uniquely suited to address a primary challenge in CNS drug
discovery, producing molecules that cross the blood brain barrier.
The method begins by screening fragments of drugs rather than intact
molecules. These low molecular weight fragments have been shown to
yield clinical candidates with lower molecular weight and lipophilicity than candidates derived from other methods such as
high-throughput screening. These physiochemical properties are more
in line with those of marketed CNS drugs. Because of the simplicity
of the fragments, the method also yields multiple starting points
thereby minimizing the chance for attrition during the drug
discovery process. Zenobia has adapted and refined the FBLD method
to CNS disease both in the design of the screening library and in
fragment optimization. FBLD has produced clinical candidates for the
treatment of cancer but very little work has been reported in the
CNS field. Zenobia is the only company focused on developing and
applying FBLD to discover treatments for CNS disorders.
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