about chromovertOverview Chromocell, an emerging life sciences company which improves consumer products and patient lives through breakthrough science and technologies, was founded in 2002 by three entrepreneurs, Christian Kopfli, Esq., Kambiz Shekdar, Ph.D. and Prof. Gunter Blobel, a Nobel Laureate. Working with a groundbreaking technology which Shekdar and Blobel had invented, they developed Chromovert®. This proprietary technology is a process that enables the company to use naturally occurring systems that mimic human biology as part of its discovery platform to provide practical solutions to difficult problems in food and pharmaceuticals. The company is comprised of two business units – Therapeutics, and Flavors and Functional Ingredients.
Therapeutics The therapeutics program is concentrated on pain relief and the treatment of respiratory disorders. The pipeline of programs prioritizes disorders where Chromovert technology offers the advantage of addressing complex and challenging targets. In these drug discovery efforts, Chromocell’s unmatched technology has proven highly effective in the rapid identification of potential new drugs. These compounds now are being tested and optimized in preclinical development studies.
Flavors and Functional Ingredients Working with some of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, Chromocell’s flavors program is active in all five areas of taste sensations (sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami) and in aroma discovery. Chromovert finds the cells that provide the proper context and background for native receptors. These cells are able to mimic human biology and hence the company’s assays are more likely to produce effective new flavor ingredients. Late in 2010, it announced a partnership with The Coca-Cola Company to discover and develop a sweetness enhancer and natural sweeteners. Since its inception as a cell development company in 2002, Chromocell has evolved into a successful discovery business for therapeutics and flavors and functional ingredients. The North Brunswick, N.J.-based company boasts a dedicated team of more than 100 professionals. Ninety percent of Chromocell’s staff are scientists; one in four has earned a Ph.D. degree. The company resides in laboratory and office space at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies. In March of 2011, it expanded from its 15,000-square-foot space into an adjoining 12,000-square-foot lab space to accommodate the growing needs of the company’s programs, particularly in the areas of medicinal and natural products chemistry.
