Metrion Biosciences Ltd., a specialist ion channel CRO and drug discovery company, and LifeArc, a UK medical research charity, have extended their neuroscience drug discovery collaboration for 12 months, as a result of the continued success under the agreement.

The collaboration, initially signed in January 2019, is focused on the discovery of novel selective small molecular modulators of a specific two-pore domain potassium ion channel target, identified as likely to be involved in neurological pathogenesis, which has now progressed into the hit-to-lead optimization phase. Following the achievement of mutually agreed criteria LifeArc has now exercised the option to extend the program.

Under the agreement, Metrion provides validated ion channel and electrophysiology-based assays and safety profiling services. LifeArc uses its expertise to identify novel modulators of CNS ion channel targets and all new chemical syntheses, with Metrion evaluating the pharmacological activities of LifeArc compounds using both automated electrophysiology and manual patch clamp technologies.