Next-Generation Therapeutics: The Power of Induced Proximity and Targeted Protein Degradation
This webinar is Day 2 of the "Illuminating New Frontiers-Cracking the Undruggable Code"
In this session we will hear from leading experts as they present the latest research in this fast-moving field and learn how these cutting-edge strategies are transforming how we are tackling diseases once considered beyond reach.
Illuminating New Frontiers-Cracking the Undruggable Code
“Illuminating New Frontiers: Cracking the Undruggable Code" invites you on a groundbreaking journey across the evolving landscape of drug discovery. This three-day virtual event unites trailblazers in science and industry to explore how innovative approaches are reshaping our ability to tackle 'undruggable' targets. From the complexities of the RAS pathway and the intricacies of protein-protein interactions to the pioneering fields of targeted protein degradation/induced proximity and RNA targeting, each day illuminates a different frontier of therapeutic potential.
We stand at the cusp of a new era, where challenges become opportunities for breakthroughs that extend beyond conventional boundaries. This event is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in unveiling new therapeutic strategies, offering hope for untreatable conditions. Join us as we navigate the cutting-edge of science, inspiring a future where every target is within our reach, and no patient is left without options.
Day 2 - Next-Generation Therapeutics: The Power of Induced Proximity and Targeted Protein Degradation
Efforts to develop treatments for previously “undruggable” targets have launched a new phase in drug discovery, highlighted by the rise of next-generation therapeutics. Induced proximity, a strategy manipulating molecular interactions for desired outcomes, and targeted protein degradation, leveraging the cell's machinery to degrade pathogenic proteins, are forging new treatment paradigms and redefining our ability to modulate previously intractable molecular targets. In this session we will hear from leading experts as they present the latest research in this fast-moving field and learn how these cutting-edge strategies are transforming how we are tackling diseases once considered beyond reach.
View other sessions of the series
Day 1: Rethinking Undruggable Targets: New Insights into RAS and Protein Interactions
Day 3 - Unlocking the Potential of RNA: New Paths for Targeting RNA
Speakers
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Fleur Ferguson, PhD
Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of California, San Diego
Presentation Title: Interrogating the Druggable Proteome with Proximity Pharmacology
Fleur Ferguson received her M.Sc degree in chemistry from Imperial College London, where she received the Department of Chemistry prize for overall excellence. Dr. Ferguson received her Ph.D in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge funded by a BBSRC studentship, advised by Prof. Chris Abell and Prof. Alessio Ciulli. She then joined Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School, where she performed her postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Prof. Nathanael Gray. Dr. Ferguson is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, at the University of California, San Diego. Her academic research group focuses on the development and application of proximity-pharmacology technologies to disease areas where traditional targeted therapies have failed, such as degenerative diseases. Research in the Ferguson lab has been recognized by numerous prestigious awards including the NIH Directors’ New Innovator Award, the NSF CAREER, the Keck Foundation Research Award, and new investigator awards from the Alzheimer’s Association, the PhRMA Foundation, and the Hilblom Foundation.
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Georg Winter, PhD
Principal Investigator
Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
Presentation Title: Identifying and Characterizing Small-Molecule Degraders
Georg Winter is a chemical biologist and principal investigator at CeMM, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. He was recruited to CeMM after his postdoctoral training that led to the first paper reporting on in vivo target protein degradation. Thematically, his lab works at the interface of chemical biology, cancer, and gene control. His group aims to innovate novel pharmacologic strategies to probe, understand and eventually disrupt aberrant transcriptional circuits in cancer. Dr. Winter’s research strategy is driven by high-throughput and unbiased technologies such as quantitative proteomics and functional genomics. Connecting these technologies with synthetic chemistry empowers the understanding of the mechanism of action of proteins, protein complexes and small molecules. Currently, the main focus of the group is to explore the concept of proximity-inducing small molecules that can rewire cellular circuits by acting as „chemical neomorphs“. This includes, but also transcends to concept of targeted protein degradation. Dr. Winter is author on more than 50 manuscripts including publications in Science and Nature. His research has led to the incorporation of C4 Therapeutics, moreover, he is a scientific co-founder of Proxygen and Solgate Therapeutics. His group is supported by several national and international grants including an ERC Starting Grant, a Cancer Grand Challenge Award, and an Aspire Award from the Mark Foundation. Dr. Winter’s contributions to the field of targeted protein degradation were acknowledged via multiple prices and awards, including the Tetrahedron Young Investigator Award, the EFMC Prize for Young Chemical Biologist in Academia, and the Eppendorf Award for European Scientists.
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Kristin M Riching, PhD
Senior Research Scientist and Group Leader
Promega Corporation
Presentation Title: Profiling Ternary Complex and Degradation of CRBN Neo-Substrates
Kristin is a Senior Research Scientist and Group Leader. She received her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She joined Promega in 2014 and established approaches to characterize the cellular kinetics, potency, and mechanism of action of small molecule degraders. Kristin is currently a group leader focused on developing technologies to enable further insights into mechanisms underlying degrader efficacy and investigation of new induced proximity modalities for Targeted Protein Degradation.
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Zoran Rankovic, PhD
Professor of Chemical Biology, and Director of the Centre for Protein Degradation
The Institute of Cancer Research, London
Presentation Title: PROTAC Optimization for Oral Delivery: How hard could it be?
Zoran is a Professor of Chemical Biology and Director of the Centre for Protein Degradation (CPD) at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London. Prior to joining the ICR, Zoran was Director of Chemistry at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where he established and directed a productive Targeted Protein Degradation program, which developed novel cereblon warheads, PROTACs, and molecular glue clinical candidates. Before St Jude, Zoran was medicinal chemistry director and research fellow in Eli Lilly, Merck, Schering-Plough, and Organon. During his industrial career Zoran directed teams that delivered multiple clinical candidates over a range of therapeutic areas including oncology, neurodegeneration, psychiatry and cardiovascular disorders. Zoran authored and co-authored over 100 scientific publications, patents, book chapters, and edited two books on drug discovery topics.
Zoran’s current research interests focus on expanding and leveraging targeted protein degradation approaches to study cancer biology and develop next generation of cancer treatments.