The University of Southampton and biopharma company UCB have launched the Digital Antibody Research Collaboration (DARC) to develop an end-to-end platform for the in-silico design of therapeutic antibodies.
In-silico refers to research, modelling or experiments conducted solely on a computer or via simulation. DARC seeks to rapidly develop, implement, test and apply cutting-edge technologies to accelerate and enhance the design of therapeutic antibodies.
The partners hopes DARC will speed up the design, development and testing of molecules ready for clinical trials, helping to reduce the current ten to 12 years taken to deliver a treatment.
DARC, which will be a three-year-long initiative, represents a significant expansion of the scientific relationship between UCB and the University of Southampton, which has spanned multiple projects in computational chemistry, small molecule design and antibody formulation.
The programme will be conducted in partnership with the University of Southampton’s Professor Jonathan Essex, an expert in molecular simulation and computational chemistry.
“The UK excels in innovation, research and development, and innovative companies like UCB working together with research-intensive universities play an important role in contributing to economic growth and medical breakthroughs,” says Essex.
“This partnership is a testament to the strength and vibrancy of the UK’s life sciences landscape.”
