Orchid Biocomputer, David Sarnoff Research Center, SmithKline deal

SmithKline and Sarnoff signed a definitive agreement to develop a device to rapidly synthesize and screen molecules for drug discovery (see BioCentury June 12). The goal is to create a business card-sized device to carry out thousands of chemical experiments simultaneously, creating molecules and measuring their activity with molecules from the body that are targets for drug action.

Sarnoff (Princeton) created a new company, Orchid Biocomputer, that will conduct research in collaboration with SmithKline. Sarnoff, which will hold a majority stake in the new company, will provide research facilities for Orchid in addition to microengineering, microfluidics and computer control. ...