Organized around identifying new antimicrobials, Elitra Pharmaceuticals - previously dba RajyaBiotics - employed its functional genomics technologies to identify essential gene drug targets in clinically relevant bacterial and fungal pathogens. Elitra sought to develop new classes of antibiotics through a unique and elegant high throughput essential gene discovery and drug screening program. The firm identified hundreds of genes essential for microbial and fungal growth and proliferation and proceeded to screen small molecules compounds for lead compounds that can inhibit microbial growth through binding with the products of these essential genes. The company produced HTS assays and successfully found a range of partners to enhance its discovery and development efforts. Mycota Biosciences, an antifungal company, was acquired by Elitra in 2000 soon after Elitra applied for public offering. Late in 2000 (Nov) - citing adverse markket conditions - Eltra withdrew that proposed IPO. In 2004 the firm ran out of money, laid off it staff and sold it IP to Merck. In last ditch effort to survive, Elitra merged with Syrxx to form Trilogy Pharmaceuticals but in the adverse conditions that defined the times, Trilogy was not able to raise the required funding and closed its doorr.....and, for nominal money, Merck acquired from San Diego State the underlying patents to the Elitra condition.
