Global Development of Targeted Protein Degradation & Partnership Opportunities - Part 1

 

MSQ brought together some of the most influential figures in the field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) in our webinar “Global Development of Targeted Protein Degradation & Partnership Opportunities – Part 1”. The event was co-hosted by MSQ Ventures and BioAroundWorld.  

Ginger Ding, Managing Director of MSQ Ventures, moderated the event and set the stage for insightful discussions, where prominent speakers from leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies shared their expertise and novel approaches in TPD. The event aimed to explore the potential of this rapidly evolving field and identify strategic partnership opportunities to advance the development of novel therapies. Participated speakers include: 

 Throughout the event, the audience gained valuable insights into the current state and future prospects of TPD and its transformative impact on the pharmaceutical industry. 

 Sanofi's Collaborations with Kymera and Nurix: Impact on Strategy and Future Plans in TPD 

Michael Palladinetti shared that in 2020, Sanofi collaborated with Kymera and Nurix to address pipeline gaps and develop novel molecules in the TPD field. Positive Phase 1 readouts led to Kymera's program progressing to Phase 2. Sanofi aims to unlock new indications and develop advanced medicines through further collaborations. Key factors for attractive deals include compelling science, potential for innovative medicines, and alignment across various aspects. 

C4 Therapeutics Inc: Exploring China Partnership and Market Potential for CFT8919: Perspectives, Advice, and MRCT Benefits and Risks 

Scott Boyle discusses the reasons behind C4 Therapeutics Inc.'s partnership on CFT8919, an orally bioavailable BiDAC™ degrader designed to be potent and selective against EGFR L858R for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, in China. Some lucrative factors include broad patient access, accelerated development, and risk sharing.  

In addition, the prevalence of EGFR mutations in Chinese patients creates a significant market opportunity. Advice for Western companies includes understanding cultural nuances, aligning goals with partners, and addressing regulatory differences. Multi-regional clinical trials offer enrollment efficiency but require careful coordination. Incentive alignment and cost-sharing are vital for successful partnerships. 

Advancing Molecular Glue and Bivalent Degrader Technology: Captor Therapeutics' Edge in a Rapidly Evolving Field 

Tom Shepherd discusses Captor's expertise in molecular glues and bivalent degraders. Since Captor has promising programs for hepatocellular carcinoma and autoimmunity using glues with good bioavailability, Tom emphasized the renewed interest in Glue beyond their initial use and their success in optimizing products through structural biology.  

Tom also highlighted their progress with MCL-1 TPD development despite various challenges faced in structural optimization. The focus is to make better drugs through improved stability and druggable properties. The company has now been exploring new ligases and has achieved a breakthrough with a unique covalent ligand for Cereblon. Overall, Captor shows a strong commitment to deliver the next wave of medicines for difficult-to-treat diseases. 

Gluetacs' Remarkable Journey: Overcoming Economic Challenges, Securing INDs in China and the US, and Forging Future Partnerships 

Xiaobao Yang gave us a review of the remarkable transformation of Gluetac Therapeutics, a young but dynamic biotech company, in the past two years.  

The company's primary focus is on introducing biomedical technology focused on Proteolysis Targeting Drug (PROTAD) to attract investment opportunities. Currently, they hold two promising pipeline molecules under the 'Glue Pipeline,' which has demonstrated impressive clinical results and gained approval for trials in both China and the US - 'ProTac GT 838,' a pioneering candidate currently undergoing pre-clinical studies, and, ''ProTac GT 868', which exhibits great potential as a best-in-class candidate with targeted protective properties.  

Seeking to further their advancements, Gluetac Therapeutics actively seeks overseas partnerships. They enthusiastically invite potential collaborators who share their passion for advancing groundbreaking therapies and are committed to driving their mission forward. 

GluBio Therapeutics: A Cross-Border Biotech Success Story with $90M Funding from Top Investors - Insights into their Inspirational Model and a Comparative Analysis of TPD Advancements in China and the US 

Leo Fu discussed the rationale behind GluBio Therapeutics' innovative biotech model operating in both the US and China. The company aims to leverage the strong biotech ecosystem in China, and cutting-edge research in the US to align and accelerate research processes and improve efficiency.  

GluBio's success lies in recruiting well-trained medicine chemists and talented scientists, combining the strengths of both regions to achieve great clinical readouts. Leo also highlights the advancements in TPD in China, with 11 out of 30 drug candidates attributed by Chinese biopharmas.  

Despite the challenges ahead, GluBio is committed to continuous improvement and growth. Despite facing various challenges in R&D and fundraising, GluBio is committed to continuous improvement and growth.  

Future Insights: Crystal Ball Predictions for the Next Breakthrough in TPD and How Pharma and Biotech Companies are Embracing the Horizon of New Technologies 

Michael Palladinetti emphasizes the importance of expanding the potential target space by exploring new ligases beyond cereblon, which is expected to garner significant interest in the coming few years. Additionally, he highlights the need to break into new therapeutic areas like immunology and neurology. For this purpose, developing new techniques to enable the construct of molecules with brain penetration in a predictable manner is vital. Palladinetti foresees a promising future for the TPD field, characterized by innovative modalities that go beyond existing approaches, presenting exciting opportunities for medical advancements. 

Tom Shepherd expresses his optimism about the future of the ligase area, with his team’s recent breakthrough with a specific ligase family. Shepherd believes that while finding an exquisitely selective ligase may be unlikely, preferential approaches are worth exploring. He encourages pursuing novel methods and covalent approaches in the TPD field. 

Ruo Xu shares his excitement about exploring new possibilities in the TPD field with his focus on VHL and CRNB ligases. Both ligase families present their own problems and hence, hinted that exploring new ligases may open up new opportunities.  

Xiaobao Yang discusses the Gluetac pipeline, highlighting the potential of new technologies in the TPD field. He sees opportunities to overcome drug-resistant ligases emphasizes the importance of solidifying R&D platforms and is actively seeking collaborations with big pharma companies to accelerate progress in the market. 

Leo Fu expresses optimism about the progress of ProTacs and anticipates breakthroughs in Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials in the next few years. He believes this modality is still in its early stages and requires further validation for new substrates and targets. He remains confident in the promise of tighter integration for future advancements. 

Scott Boyle envisions a potential future frontier in combining ADCs (Antibody-Drug Conjugates) with degraders. He sees this as a near-term opportunity to unlock the potential of degraders that may not be orally bioavailable.  

Driven by innovative technologies and strong collaborations, the future of TPD holds immense promise, with opportunities to explore new ligases, expand the therapeutic areas, and even combine degraders with other modalities like ADCs. 

In the pursuit of advancing medical breakthroughs, fostering collaborations between established biopharma and dynamic startups like those present here will be crucial. With a shared vision for transformative therapies and a commitment to push beyond the boundaries of scientific knowledge, the future of Targeted Protein Degradation is set to be extraordinary. As we embrace the horizon of new technologies, we shall witness the full potential of protein degradation in benefiting patients worldwide. 

To watch the full recording of the webinar, please go to MSQ Webinar page or click here.