Oxford, 11 July 2018 – OMass Technologies (“OMass”), a biotechnology company using structural mass spectrometry to drive drug discovery, today announced the publication of an article in Nature describing the involvement of lipid molecules in G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR signalling). The study was led by Dr Hsin-Yung Yen, CSO of OMass Technologies and performed in collaboration with Prof. Dame Carol Robinson’s research group at the University of Oxford.

Dr Hsin-Yung Yen and his co-authors* describe how interactions between GPCRs and G-proteins, which are involved in many physiological processes and are key drug targets, are highly regulated by interactions with specific lipid molecules. Although high-resolution structural information is emerging for GPCRs, the effects of lipids on the receptor’s function are largely unknown. Native mass spectrometry was used to resolve discrete populations of endogenous GPCR-lipid species to understanding their effects on down-stream signalling.

The full manuscript “PtdIns(4,5)P2 stabilizes active states of GPCRs and enhances selectivity of G-protein coupling” can be found in the July 2018 issue of Nature – https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0325-6

OMass specialises in applying state-of-the-art mass spectrometry platforms to characterising intact protein assemblies. By providing both access to technology and expertise through collaborations with world-leading pharmaceutical companies, the company is focussed on studying some of the most challenging protein targets in drug discovery.

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Further information:

JW Communications +44 (0)7818430877
Julia Wilson juliawilsonuk@gmail.com

Notes for Editors:

About OMass Therapeutics

OMass Therapeutics is a private biopharmaceutical company, focused on structural mass spectrometry to discover novel medicines. The company uses its suite of proprietary technologies based on high-resolution mass spectrometry to study intact protein assemblies. The technology enables detection of drug leads that not only bind to the target complex, but also exert a functional effect through modulating complex formation. These methods are being applied to drug discovery for a variety of complex targets, including membrane receptors, addressing severe unmet medical needs. OMass is backed by Syncona Ltd and Oxford Sciences Innovation. For further information please visit the Company’s website at: www.omass.com.

* Hsin-Yung Yen, Kin Kuan Hoi, Idlir Liko, George Hedger, Michael R. Horrell, Wanling Song, Di Wu, Philipp Heine, Tony Warne, Yang Lee, Byron Carpenter, Andreas Plückthun, Christopher G. Tate, Mark S. P. Sansom & Carol V. Robinson