Current Projects
Sandra K. Weller, PhD
Quercus Molecular Design
Quercus Molecular Design (QMD) was formed in 2015 by Sandra K. Weller, Phd, Dennis Wright, PhD, and Bradford Weller, JD, forming a team with extensive academic experience in molecular virology, drug resistance, cancer therapies, and medicinal chemistry, as well as business expertise. QMD leverages decades of research experience and over $20 million of federal research support in the Weller and Wright laboratories at the University of Connecticut to discover and develop small molecule inhibitors to treat infectious diseases and cancer.
Drs. Weller and Wright have developed an innovative strategy to discover small molecule inhibitors that simultaineously inhibit (or target) two or more essential proteins to treat infectious disease and cancer targets. This multi-targeting approach is expected to both enhance potency and slow the onset of resistance.
We occupy incubator space with the UConn Technology Incubation Program (TIP) that provides laboratory/office space and an array of support resources and services. TIP was developed by the UConn Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) to accelerate the developmenty of technology-based entrepreneurial companies. QMD is also benefitting from funding from the "Program in Innovative Therapeutics for Connecticut's Health" (PITCH), a $10 million, state-funded partnership between UConn and Yale University.
Quercus Molecular Design
Research at the interface between chemistry and biology is opening new avenues to explore the roles of proteins associated with disease. What is emerging holds exciting promise for development of new, potent drug therapies.
We have assembled a team with extensive business and academic experience in molecular virology, drug resistance, cancer therapeutics, and medicinal chemistry. With our knowledge of the proteins associated with disease states, we aim to discover and develop small molecule inhibitors that simultaneously inhibit (or target) two or more essential proteins to treat infectious diseases and cancer. This approach is expected to both enhance potency and slow the onset of resistance. Our business is to develop new therapeutic agents based on this multi-targeting platform.
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