Client

Clinical-stage biotechnology company, West Coast USA

Programme

Hit-to-Lead / Lead Optimisation Programme

Challenge

The client had identified a promising small-molecule starting point targeting a cardiac ion channel implicated in a rare inherited arrhythmia syndrome. The programme required rapid progression into lead optimisation to improve potency, selectivity, physicochemical properties, and overall developability.

The company needed a discovery partner with demonstrated expertise in medicinal chemistry, ion channel biology, DMPK optimisation, and integrated drug discovery project execution.

Selecting an inappropriate CRO could significantly impact programme timelines, resource utilisation, and technical success.

Aventiq Bio Approach

Aventiq Bio performed a scientific and operational assessment of multiple discovery organisations specialising in medicinal chemistry and lead optimisation.

The evaluation focused not only on technical capability but also on delivery reliability, team structure, communication practices, and programme governance.

Key Activities

• Assessed medicinal chemistry capabilities and leadership experience
• Evaluated experience in ion channel and cardiovascular drug discovery programmes
• Reviewed integrated DMPK, computational chemistry, and biology capabilities
• Analysed historical project delivery performance and milestone achievement
• Evaluated infrastructure, analytical platforms, and scalability
• Conducted comparative reviews of scientific expertise and resource allocation models
• Identified strengths, limitations, and programme-specific risks
• Developed a recommendation-based shortlist for client review

Outcome

The client selected a preferred discovery partner based on the qualitative and quantitative assessment framework provided by Aventiq Bio.

The selected CRO possessed the scientific capabilities and project execution strengths required to support the programme's optimisation objectives, enabling a faster and more informed transition into lead optimisation activities.

Client Perspective

Selecting the right discovery partner was critical to the success of our lead optimisation programme. Aventiq Bio's assessment of medicinal chemistry expertise, ion channel experience, project delivery performance, and infrastructure capabilities enabled us to identify a CRO that was strongly aligned with our scientific and operational requirements

— Vice President, Discovery Research, US Biotechnology Company