Our Science
Unlocking an entirely new space within the proteome by combining the advantages of small molecules and biologics
Role of prm-binding protein domains
Only a minor fraction of the proteome is considered as druggable
10 %
Addressable using Conventional Drugs10 %
Proteins containing PRM-binding domains
Proline-rich motif (PRM) mediated interactions are the most frequent type of protein-protein interaction in our organism.
Conventional therapeutic solutions, such as biologics, are restricted to extracellular targets. Besides penetrating the cell, the challenge to unlock these undruggables also lies in the unique helical structure they are specialized in recognizing. Until now, all attempts to mimic this specific shape with small molecules have failed.
That is exactly where our technology comes into play.
Meet ProMs
Mimicking the complex 3D-structure of PRMs
ProMs are the first and currently only mimetics of the left-handed poly-L-proline type-II (PPII) Helix - the preferentially adopted conformation of proline-rich motifs (PRM) in protein domains.
Rigid molecule structure
ProMs have the unique design of being structurally rigidified in a perfect PPII structure, keeping the molecule in its most bioactive conformation. This is achieved through the introduction of a Z-vinylidene moiety between a diproline unit.
Wide library of differentiated ProMs
All ProMs are nature inspired, sp3-rich novel chemical entities that differ in ring size and decoration - a crucial requirement to address the 3-dimensional recognition pattern of PRM-binding domains.
ProM-based Small Molecules
Cutting-edge small molecule design
Through a computational and rationally driven process, two specific ProMs are combined into low molecular weight small molecule inhibitors of a specific PRM-mediated protein-protein interaction.
Modular synthetic concept
As building-blocks, these multifunctional molecules can be combined into ProM-based drug leads with different steric properties through an effective modular synthesis concept.
Unlocking Undruggables
Strong binding affinity
ProM-based drug leads display an extremely high binding affinity toward their respective PRM-binding domain, mainly driven through their unique structure design based on rigidity.
Highly specific by nature
Recognizing PRMs is the most frequent type of protein-protein interaction in our organism. Thus PRM-binding domains are particularly specific by design.
PLATFORM
We combine our ProMs with our Development Platform to build a diversified pipeline of high value assets.
Step 1:
Generating
Based on our modular synthetic approach we are able to fast-track the generation of ProM-based low molecular weight inhibitors for a target of choice
Step 2:
Optimizing
We enable an accelerated lead-to-candidate phase based on computational modeling simulations and rapid compound synthesis
Step 3:
Upscaling
Manufacturing relies on established and reproducible synthetic procedures, allowing reliable and fast upscaling
Structurally novel drug
Pipeline
Development Pipeline
