Medicinal Chemistry
Overview
The Medicinal Chemistry Facility at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute provides synthetic and medicinal chemistry resources and expertise to the biomedical research community at the Institute and to external academic partners. Our team is staffed with industry-trained chemists skilled in all aspects of small-molecule synthesis and medicinal chemistry. We collaborate closely with other shared resource groups at SBP to drive projects forward from conception to clinical translation.
Services
Chemistry Consulting for Projects and Grant Applications
- Analysis of prior art, chemical landscape, and patentability
Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry
- Develop structure-activity relationships (SAR), based on biological assay results, and recommend next step decisions for project progression
- Synthesize small molecule reference compounds from milligram to multi-gram scale
- Design and synthesize chemical libraries for hit and lead identification, as well as diversity libraries based on a structural theme
- Prepare custom organic reagents and synthetic intermediates
- Analog synthesis and lead optimization targeting the improvement of potency, physiochemical, and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties
Computational Chemistry and AI
- Experience using state-of-the-art computational tools for advancing projects from target evaluation to lead optimization
- In silico screening of large virtual libraries to identify novel probes and hits for drug discovery
- High-performance computing cluster (Pines) supporting docking, molecular dynamics, and machine-learning workflows
- AI tools to predict druggability, ADME/PK properties, and ligand-protein interactions
Analytical Chemistry
- 1H,13C,19F NMR with 2D heteronuclear spectra acquisition and variable temperature capability
- Verification of the structural identity and purity of samples
- HPLC and LC/MS analysis
- Triple quadrupole MS/MS analysis
- Normal phase, chiral, and reverse phase chromatography separations on analytical and/or preparative scales.
Equipment & Resources
The Medicinal Chemistry core occupies approximately 2000 sq. ft. of laboratory space and is equipped with cutting edge synthetic and analytical equipment.
Synthesis Equipment
- 14 6ft chemical fume hoods
- Biotage and CEM microwave synthesizers with robotic processing
- Parr shaker hydrogenation apparatus
- Two Genevac evaporation systems
- Multiple FreezeMobile 25EL lyophilization units
Analysis and Purification Equipment
- Four Teledyne-Isco flash chromatography systems with multi-column functionality and UV detection
- Two Teledyne-Isco ACCQprep HP150 preparative HPLC systems with UV detection
- Two Shimadzu preparative HPLC systems with UV detection
- Thermo-Fisher Ultimate 3000 preparative HPLC with UV detection
- Waters Acquity LC/MS with ESI ionization source and PDA detector
- Shimadzu LC/MS 2020 with ESI ionization source and PDA detector
- Agilent Pro iQ LC/MS with ESI ionization source, PDA detector, and 364-well plate capability
- Applied Biosystems API 3000 for LC/MS-MS studies
- 400 MHz JEOL NMR spectrometer with autosampler
Price List
For a Price List, please call (858) 646-3100 ext. 5320 or email us.
Leadership
Michael Jackson, PhD
Vice President, Drug Discovery & Development
Steven Olson, PhD
Facility Director
Contact
Please call (858) 646-3100 ext. 5320 or use the button below to send us an email.