NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Activiomics announced recently a research deal with Kyowa Hakko Kirin for use of Activiomics' mass spectrometry-based technology to "elucidate signaling mechanism of lead compounds in relevant cell-based systems."
Under the deal, the Japanese pharmaceutical firm will use Activiomics' Targeted In-depth QUAntification of cell Signaling, or TIQUAS, technology to identify important biomarkers that can be used in the drug-discovery process.
Financial and other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
TIQUAS uses mass spectrometry to detect and quantify phosphorylation sites from a cell or tissue extract, which can be used to discover which proteins and pathways are activated. Changes in phosphorylation status signal a change in protein activity.
The deal was signed as part of Activiomics' strategic partnership with BioFocus announced during the summer and is its first entry into the Japanese market, the company said. Based in London, Activiomics is a privately held spinout of the Barts Cancer Institute.