Research and Technology
Pipeline
AccelBio selects and de-risk the most promising early drug discovery projects in academia and startups and develop them into investment-ready assets. One team creates and executes an integrated plan that includes experimental and business strategies to maximize research outputs:
Discoveries
Valley of Death
DERISK
Commercialization
Immunology
Oncology
Neurology
Target Validation
Hit ID
Lead optimization
Early admet
Licences
Co-develop.
Start ups
Window of opportunity
Valley of Death
Discoveries
Immunology
Oncology
Neurology
Target Validation
Hit ID
Lead optimization
Early admet
Commercialization
Licences
Co-develop.
Start ups
Valley of Death
Discoveries
Immunology
Oncology
Neurology
Target Validation
Hit ID
Lead optimization
Early admet
Commercialization
Licences
Co-develop.
Start ups
Five projects are in progress, but national calls will open to select projects from external organizations.
Technology Platforms
Multiomics
The high-throughput and affordability of current omics technologies, allowing quantitative measurements of many putative targets, have exponentially increased the volume of available data. Omics technologies offer an unprecedented ability to screen biological samples at the gene, transcript, protein, metabolite and their interaction network level.
Transcriptomics
Transcriptomics provides a powerful tool for unraveling the complexities of disease biology and drug response. By deciphering gene expression patterns, researchers can make informed decisions at various stages of drug discovery, from target identification to understanding drug mechanisms and predicting clinical outcomes.
Proteomics
Proteomics is a crucial tool in drug discovery, offering in-depth insights into the protein components of biological systems. From target identification and validation to understanding drug mechanisms, predicting toxicity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, proteomics significantly contributes to the development of safer and more effective therapeutic interventions.
Metabolomics
Metabolomics provides a dynamic and systemic approach to understanding the intricate interplay of small molecules in biological systems. From biomarker discovery to elucidating disease pathways, assessing drug toxicity, and guiding personalized medicine, metabolomics significantly contributes to the multifaceted landscape of drug discovery and development.
Computational biology
Computational biology acts as a bridge between experimental omics data and actionable insights in drug discovery. It enhances the efficiency of the drug development process by providing a systematic and data-driven approach to unraveling the complexities of biological systems and identifying novel therapeutic avenues.
Cardiac Organoids
The platform of cardiac organoids will be used to perform pre-clinical studies for toxicology assays, by evaluating the functional and structural toxicity of drugs.
Kidney Organoid
This kidney organoid will be used to model acute kidney injury, characterized by a rapid and reversible decline in renal function, and to study the impact of drugs on renal function.
Brain Organoids
The goal of this project is to investigate whether human brain organoids can be used not just as faithful disease models but suitable to test the effects of candidate drugs for Rett Syndrome, in particular.
Advanced in vitro systems
Cell-based assays are a crucial element of the drug discovery process. Compared to cost-intensive animal models, assays using cultured cells are simple, fast and cost-effective as well as versatile and easily reproducible. Thus, cell culture technologies that more closely resemble genuine cell environments are now being pursued with intensity as they are expected to accommodate better precision and improve the success rates of drug discovery.
Innovative Therapeutic Modalities
Many advances in biotechnology are offering completely new opportunities to design therapeutics for disease mechanisms previously considered difficult, if not impossible, to target. Small molecules remain the most common modality used for medicines but they cannot be effectively applied to all biological targets and in all disease settings. As such, the fundamental structure of drugs has evolved to include a much wider array of options that allow the unlocking of “undruggable” targets.
Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADC)
ADCs are highly targeted biopharmaceutical drugs that combine monoclonal antibodies that selectively bind to surface antigens present on specific cells with highly potent therapeutic agents linked via a chemical linker. Linker chemistries have a crucial role in ADC performance. We are developing a new class of bioconjugating linkers which will allow the development of ADCs with improved in vivo targeting properties.
External Collaborations
AccelBio is able to support your drug discovery projects from target validation to preclinical proof of concept, always aligned with the standards and regulations of the pharmaceutical industry:
R&D support: ideation and experimental activities
Market analysis and business development
Please consult our catalogue for further information.
We can establish external collaborations via different mechanisms:
Collaborative Research
Collaborative Research
Collaborative research is where two (or more parties) contribute to a research project through their scientific contribution, background IP, research staff and/or funding. Collaboration agreements make provision for sharing IP that was jointly created as well as coordinated dissemination and commercialization activities where applicable.
Contract Research
Contract Research
Consortium Formation
Consortium Formation
A good consortium can enhance its competitiveness in securing funding for collaborative research projects, bringing together the collective strengths of its members to address complex challenges and contribute to advancements in the chosen field. AccelBio can integrate your competitive projects bringing together our collective expertise.
Labs
The CoLAB AccelBio makes use of a set of decentralized laboratories, which includes resources and equipments of the already existing laboratories in its Associate Members. This integrated network capitalizes on complementary skills, fostering a collaborative environment that optimizes the use of shared resources for enhanced efficiency.
University of Coimbra • Biotech
UC • Biotech
UC-Biotech is a research and business training infrastructure of the University of Coimbra for the Biotechnology sector. Located in Biocant Park in Cantanhede, AccelBio provides research at this site in collaboration with the labs of Bruno Manadas (mass spectrometry) and Miguel Mano (high-throughput screening platform).
University of Coimbra • Faculty of Pharmacy
FFUC
The Faculty of Pharmacy from the University of Coimbra, through the lab of Amilcar Falcão and with the support of Ana Fortuna, supports AccelBio in the ADMET studies in drug discovery projects, through its pharmacokinetic drug screening platform that includes in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experimental models.
Instituto Superior Técnico•Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences
iBB • IST
The Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, with a specific focus on the Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, is the home for part of the AccelBio team. This team specializes in advanced in vitro systems, notably hiPSC-based organoids, to explore drug efficacy and toxicity using models that closely mimic human biology.
Instituto de Medicina Molecular
iMM
At Instituto de Medicina Molecular, AccelBio is actively engaged in the development of target validation assays spanning diverse therapeutic fields. Additionally, and in collaboration with Nuno Morais Lab and Gonçalo Bernardes Lab, AccelBio is developing innovative therapeutic modalities and applying computational biology approaches to drug research.