Drug Discovery Research
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) accelerates the high-risk and high-reward pipelines of innovative drug discovery and development campaigns to translate basic science breakthroughs into realistic product development phases. Our independent research institute fosters an interdisciplinary ecosystem that supports diverse Market Segments that require R&D of broad chemical technological innovation.
Drug Discovery Contract Research & Development
SwRI’s Pharmaceutical Development team offers drug discovery research and development services from de novo computer-aided drug design with the proprietary Rhodium™ protein docking platform, analog synthesis, in vitro assays, quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR), lead optimization and scale-up of drug candidates for animal modeling.
- Structure-Based Virtual Screening – Up to 125,000 compounds per day
- Medicinal Chemistry – Drug design, library synthesis and lead optimization
- Computer-Aided Drug Design – Pharmacophore modeling and compound libraries
- Salt Screening – Identifying improved salt forms for best absorption
- Stability Testing – Climate, storage and photosensitivity testing
Process Development Services
Process chemistry services range from technology transfer and lab-scale process evaluation through de novo process development, safety and scalability analysis, process optimization, purification development, salt screening and engineering runs. Our team can develop solutions to overcome common process hurdles including safety, scalability and specialized purifications.
- Process Development – Comprehensive reaction optimization for all chemical industries
- Catalyst Screening – Industrial and multicomponent catalyst screening
- Pilot Plant Operations – Design, integration and operation for fine chemicals and feedstocks
- Pilot Plant Design – Chemical engineering services
Chemical & Biodefense Programs
Medical countermeasures are critical for chemical and biologic defense. Our understanding of the challenges of developing therapeutic supply, formulation and delivery for the target product profile helps us to develop effective countermeasures for nerve agents, chlorine, cyanide and hydrogen sulfide, radiation, viral and bacterial threats. We have worked closely with both private industry and government.
- OPNA Antidotes – Nerve agent antidotes
- Nerve Agent Antidotes – Scopolamine total synthesis
- Pandemic Preparedness – COVID-19 research
- Novel Countermeasures – Novel medical countermeasures (MCM)
- Operational Planning – MCM operational planning
Synthetic Chemistry Services
We identify promising therapeutic targets through targeted, hypothesis-driven discovery and development. We explore the potential of promising inventions through active R&D of new cell-based assay methodologies.
- Small Molecule Synthesis – Antibiotics research
- Total Synthesis – Artemisinin total synthesis
- Prodrug Development – CRO services, instrumentation and capabilities
- Hit-to-lead Assessment – Broad biotechnology capabilities
- Biomolecule Conjugation – Broad biotechnology capabilities
