FMC looks to optimize its discovery workflow with Cyclica's Ligand Design and Ligand Express platforms

July 15, 2020 | Case Study

FMC, fifth in the world among crop protection companies, claims to have more than 25 promising molecules, but getting those molecules to the market and identifying others with cost efficiency is difficult. Cyclica's (Lux Take: Positive) platform provides a polypharmacology approach to active ingredient discovery. Ligand Express models interactions between small molecules and the known proteome of a species or environment, while Ligand Design allows for rapid exploration of a chemical space to screen or fully generate compounds in silico. Together, the tools provide a powerful platform from which the company has engaged largely in the human health space. In ag, Cyclica has provided platform access to Canadian academic institutions but has had no other ag engagements.