SHERBROOKE, Quebec and BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cyclenium Pharma Inc., an emerging pharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of novel drug candidates based on proprietary macrocyclic chemistry, today announced the signing of a discovery and co-development agreement with Southern Research Institute, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific research organization founded in 1941. The collaboration will utilize Cyclenium's proprietary libraries of next generation macrocyclic molecules and associated hit-to-lead optimization expertise in combination with Southern Research's extensive capabilities in target screening, compound profiling and preclinical development. The goal is to discover and jointly develop new clinical candidates for the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases and neurological conditions.

"We are very pleased to have initiated this collaboration with a prestigious organization like Southern Research," stated Helmut Thomas, Ph.D., President & CEO of Cyclenium. "Their breadth of expertise and long history of successful contributions to drug discovery and development will provide strong synergy for our proprietary macrocyclic technology with the expectation of multiple novel candidates resulting from our joint efforts over the next few years."

"Cyclenium's proprietary macrocyclic libraries are well suited for use against many of the challenging targets we are currently working on," stated Mark J. Suto, Ph.D. Vice-President Drug Discovery Division Southern Research Institute. "For example, screening of currently available small molecule libraries has not been very successful in the identification of new antibiotics and in targets associated with disrupting protein-protein interactions. The Cyclenium macrocycle libraries are unique in that they combine the complexities found in natural products with the drug-like properties needed for successful drug discovery. We are looking forward to collaborating with Cyclenium in the identification of new therapeutics."

About Cyclenium Pharma
Cyclenium Pharma is an emerging pharmaceutical research and development company pursuing development of selected product opportunities in areas of unsatisfied medical need, while simultaneously creating a second generation macrocyclic drug discovery technology. Cyclenium is building value through progression of internal programs and establishing collaborations with innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seeking to modulate difficult disease targets. For more on Cyclenium Pharma, please see: www.cyclenium.com.

About Southern Research Institute 
Southern Research Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific research organization founded in 1941 that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental and energy industries. From discovery to clinical trials, Southern Research contributes to the search for new and better drugs and vaccines through a comprehensive continuum of capabilities. As a contract research organization, Southern Research provides preclinical drug development and clinical trial support services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on an outsourced basis. Southern Research is headquartered in Birmingham, AL, with additional laboratories and offices in Wilsonville and Huntsville, AL, Frederick, MD, Durham, NC, Houston, TX, and Cartersville, GA. For more information visit: http://www.southernresearch.org.

Contacts:
Helmut Thomas, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Cyclenium Pharma Inc.
Telephone: + 1 514-745-1439
hthomas@cyclenium.com 

Mark J. Suto, Ph.D
Vice President Drug Discovery Division
Southern Research Institute
Telephone: +1 205-581-2522
suto@southernresearch.org 

SOURCE Southern Research Institute