NeoGenesis Pharmaceuticals

NeoGenesis Pharmaceuticals was a Cambridge-based biotechnology company specializing in rapid drug discovery through its proprietary Automated Ligand Identification System (ALIS). The ALIS platform utilized size-exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry to screen massive libraries of small molecules against protein targets, identifying high-affinity ligands without the need for prior functional assays. This technology was particularly effective for targeting "undruggable" proteins and orphan receptors. The company established high-profile collaborations with major pharmaceutical firms, including Merck & Co. and Mitsubishi Pharma. In 2005, NeoGenesis was acquired by Schering-Plough for $50 million to serve as its primary small-molecule discovery engine. Following Schering-Plough's subsequent merger with Merck & Co. in 2009, the NeoGenesis platform and expertise were integrated into the global Merck research organization.