Lead Development & Optimization

Shared Resource Overview

The Lead Development & Optimization (LDO) shared resource, led by Michael Baltezor, Ph.D., provides access to expertise in target identification and validation, screening compounds, preclinical candidate development, drug delivery and preclinical proof-of-concept animal studies. The LDO shared resource is a key shared resource supporting discovery and development activities of cancer researchers at the University of Kansas in partnership with KU Cancer Center.

The LDO shared resource has six aims:

Provide expertise in high-throughput screening, medicinal chemistry and drug delivery in an integrated matter to The University of Kansas Cancer Center researchers based on their specific project activities.
Provide seamless consulting at a substantially reduced cost to researchers and clinicians in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for treatment and prevention of cancer.
Provide method development around biochemical, biophysical or phenotypic screens; assay optimization for high-throughput screening adoption and assay validation; large compound library high-throughput screening; and hit identification, confirmation and prioritization.
Integrate LESTR (Laboratory for Early Translation Research) activities and pursue sources of funding to support new projects from KU Cancer Center investigators.
Provide expanded access to synthesis laboratory.
Offer drug delivery services, including, bioanalytical method development, in vitro pharmacology testing, in vivo pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution testing, optimal dosage for development, compound solubility and stability enhancement, drug-substance and dosage-form analysis.

Both members and non-members of the KU Cancer Center have access to these services. LDO is comprised of two activities that provide discovery and development support of novel cancer therapeutics in the following preclinical space:

Drug Discovery High-Throughput Screening (HTS): research and development focused on target selection and validation for high-throughput method development and compound probe screening.
Drug Delivery Biotechnology Innovation and Optimization Facility (BIOF): research and development focused on conventional and novel drug delivery and animal pharmacokinetic support.

This multicomponent shared resource at KU Cancer Center is unique in an academic setting with state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained, experienced scientists to support cancer research toward target validation and the development and optimization of lead compounds.