Overview

Cerylid Biosciences Ltd., founded as ExGenix Ltd. in January 2000, is an Australian biotechnology company integrating genomics and high-capacity natural products screening technology platforms to discover small-molecule lead compounds that can be developed as new medicines.

The company’s internal drug discovery and development program is focused on cancer and inflammatory/immunological disorders.

Cerylid’s genomics program is supported by access to several unique human populations, including the Australian Twin Registry and deep family pedigrees in the island state of Tasmania. Focused on autoimmune disease, cancer, women’s health, metabolic disorders and public health issues, the company is working to advance its priority projects in multiple sclerosis, endometriosis and Type I diabetes.

Cerylid has identified a number of lead compounds from the screening of its natural product libraries of microbials, plants and marine macroorganisms.

Partners

Cerylid’s genomics projects are conducted largely in collaboration with the Cooperative Research Centre for Discovery of Genes for Common Human Diseases. Cerylid is the leader and sole commercial partner of the Gene CRC. Other partners include the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.

Collaborative arrangement to develop a database of pedigree, phenotype and genotype for use in current and future genetics projects involving the Tasmanian population: Menzies Research Institute.

Collaborative research agreement to investigate the genetics of endometriosis: Oxagen Ltd.

Screening collaborations: Aventis Australia Pty Ltd. (antibacterials), Amrad Operations Pty. Ltd. and Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.