IQCC-UdG and Chemotargets join forces to give a second life to forgotten molecules in the laboratory

The aim of the agreement is to analyze the molecules synthesized by IQCC researchers over the past three decades to determine whether they may have therapeutic properties.

Some of the molecules that have been sitting for years in drawers and on shelves in the chemistry labs at the University of Girona (UdG) may become the foundation for future medicines. This is the goal of a new collaboration agreement between the Institute of Computational Chemistry and Catalysis (IQCC) at UdG and the biotech company Chemotargets, which specializes in using computational technologies to identify new drugs.

The objective of the agreement is to review and analyze all the molecules synthesized by IQCC researchers over the last thirty years. Some of these compounds, originally created for purely chemical or experimental purposes, could have therapeutic properties that have gone unnoticed until now.

“Thousands of small molecules lie dormant on the shelves of academic chemistry labs. After they’re synthesized and published, they are typically stored and forgotten,” said Jordi Mestres, CSO of Chemotargets. “By identifying potential therapeutic opportunities, we aim to give these molecules a second life.”

Until recently, Chemotargets focused primarily on developing software for drug design. However, in recent years the company has entered a new phase, building its own portfolio of therapeutic projects by establishing partnerships with research centers worldwide. “We are delighted to welcome the University of Girona to our growing public-private collaboration network,” said Chemotargets CEO Scott Boyer.

At UdG, one of the research groups involved in the collaboration is led by researchers Dr. Anna Pla-Quintana and Dr. Anna Roglans, who specialize in designing complex chemical reactions using transition metals. “Over the years, we have created many small molecules for a variety of chemical applications, but we never imagined that any of them could be used to develop a drug,” said Pla-Quintana. “This agreement opens up a whole new dimension to our work.”

Girona, April 24th, 2025
For more info: ges.iqcc@udg.edu