Xynomic Research Institute (XRI), a subsidiary of Xynomic Pharmaceuticals Holdings, has designed a series of potent RET kinase inhibitors by computer-assisted drug design, it was reported yesterday.

The company's cRET kinase inhibitors are a range of acetylene derivatives with novel and stable structures. Preliminary activity tests indicated that they showcased outstanding selectivity and inhibitory activity against TT tumour cells, and some compounds were identified as having submicromolar IC50 values in the mid- to low-nanomolar range. Further structure-activity relationship studies are presently underway to screen and receive lead compounds.

Y Mark Xu, chairman and CEO of Xynomic, said, 'XRI focuses on research and development of innovative oncology drug candidates. We have recently upgraded our infrastructure and equipment and hired additional scientists. We believe that we are now well positioned to fully leverage XRI's capacity to efficiently design and synthesise cutting edge molecules.'

XRI has already filed global patents for internally discovered pre-clinical drug candidates XP-103 and XP-104.