133656Late lead optimisation of orally available potassium channel inhibitors for the treatment of psoriasisClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UK"-- Metrion Bioscience Ltd (Metrion) is an ion channel specialist contract research organisation and has recently begun building its drug discovery and development capability. The company is based at Granta Park, Cambridge, with a core expertise in ion channel drug discovery and neuroscience. Metrion's R&D is focused on designing and discovering molecules for the treatment of debilitating Autoimmune disorders. The management team and advisors have extensive experience in this field and have previously raised significant equity funding and have a track record in delivering molecules to the clinic. -- Metrion is pioneering the discovery of oral medicines with the potential to change the underlying causes of psoriasis. The successful treatments for psoriasis predominantly provide symptomatic relief only, nevertheless this has created a $7bn market. Metrion's approach has the potential to radically modify/halt the progression of psoriasis impacting the patient and the healthcare system. -- Metrion through this grant will exploit its drug discovery expertise to identify small molecule inhibitors of potassium channels which has been linked to autoimmune disease and neurodegeneration. Further modification of these lead molecules subsequent to this project will allow the generation of orally active agents for the treatment of other autoimmune disease."