SEED Therapeutics Discloses Novel Molecular Glue IND Candidate for Cancer at “Targeted Protein Degradation Think Tank” Symposium
October 26 2023 - 7:30AM
SEED Therapeutics Inc. (“SEED”), a biotech company focused on
harnessing and engineering Molecular Glues for targeted protein
degradation (TPD) of disease-causing proteins, announced at its
Monday, October 23, 2023 Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) Think
Tank symposium that it had successfully discovered a ST-00937, a
new chemical entity (NCE) molecular glue that has already achieved
IND Candidate status and will be advanced for the treatment of
cancers in SEED’s first IND filing, as early as 2024.
SEED is a subsidiary of BeyondSpring, Inc. (NASDAQ: BYSI), a
clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing
innovative therapies.
Dr. James Tonra, SEED President, and Chief Scientific Officer,
said, “Preclinical data over the last two to three years has
uncovered new and important cancer indications for agents that can
inhibit or degrade the RNA splicing factor RBM39, but clinical
activity in these new indications is minimal or absent.”
According to Dr. Tonra, SEED’s research and development
scientists recognized this unmet need, as well as the opportunity
to discover yet unrecognized additional indications for an RBM39
targeted molecular glue. “Our seasoned R&D team proceeded to
discover and file a patent application for an oral RBM39 degrader
that causes complete tumor regressions in select tumor models
without detectable toxicities. SEED’s rapid progress on this
program towards clinical testing within a year of project
initiation reflects the power and potential of TPD science, as well
as SEED’s expertise and determination to lead the way to patient
benefits and the first regulatory approval with an RBM39
degrader.”
The SEED TPD Think Tank was led by SEED Co-Founders who are at
the forefront of TPD thought leadership: Nobel Laureate Dr.
Avram Hershko, who uncovered the Ubiquitin Proteasome
System almost 50 years ago; SEED Chairman and CEO Dr. Lan
Huang, who pioneered the understanding of E3 ligase
structure by solving the first E3 ligase structure over 20 years
ago; Professor Michele Pagano, Howard Hughes
Medical Institute Investigator, TPD biology and cancer expert, and
chair of New York University biochemistry and molecular
pharmacology departments; and Professor Ning
Zheng, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, TPD
structural biologist, and Professor of Pharmacology at the
University of Washington.
According to Dr. Huang, “The SEED TPD Think Tank shared key TPD
developments across academia and industry. But importantly, our
SEED Co-Founders, our invited TPD field thought leaders who also
presented, and our domestic and foreign attendees engaged in an
interactive session that encouraged and challenged scientists,
researchers, and developers to extend the boundaries and prospects
for TPD through new thinking on TPD molecular mechanism, structural
basis, protein proximity in live cells, rational degrader design,
and the use of AI-based modeling and computation to speed up
discovery efforts.”
Invited presenters shared their latest research and insights on
translating TPD science to overcoming the hurdles to target
“undruggable” disease-causing proteins:
- Prof. Chittaranjan Das, Purdue University, E3 Ligase
Structure
- Prof. Gaurav Bhardwaj, University of Washington, Computational
Design
- Prof. Lan Huang, University of California Irvine,
Proteomics/Proximity
- Prof. Luca Busino, University of Pennsylvania, TPD Cancer
Biology
- Dr. Jesus Izaguirre, AtomMap, AI Drug Design
According to Dr. Huang, “The full impact of TPD on human disease
can only be realized with continued scientific advancements on the
selection of right E3 ligase for most, if not all disease-causing
protein.”
Dr. Huang concluded: “At SEED, we thrive on our ability to
leverage the scientific leadership of our distinguished
Co-Founders. Their research, insight, and conviction allow SEED to
focus and accelerate basic research into a fast-expanding TPD drug
pipeline, enabled by our unique ability to identify the right E3.
This symposium provided a valuable exchange on new directions,
opportunities, and challenges on TPD drug development. Together, we
are building an exciting ecosystem of best minds in TPD field that
will continue to benefit from open collaborations and synergies
between academic and industry, as we continue to translate high
science into medicine for patients with significant unmet medical
needs.”
The first “TPD Think Tank” symposium was held at SEED
Therapeutics’ laboratory in King of Prussia, PA.
About SEED TherapeuticsSEED Therapeutics is an
innovative biotech company focusing on harnessing and engineering
“molecular glues” and targeted protein degradation (TPD) to attack
previously undruggable targets. Backed by a comprehensive
intellectual property portfolio, SEED Therapeutics' mission is to
positively impact human health by creating novel protein
degradation therapeutics to treat various severe diseases that
currently have limited treatment options for patients and their
families. Through ongoing collaborations with world-leading
academic experts in the field, SEED Therapeutics is developing a
growing pipeline of novel drug candidates on a path to potential
clinical and commercial success. SEED has an initial R&D
collaboration and investment from Eli Lilly and Company. Learn more
by visiting https://seedtherapeutics.com/.
About BeyondSpringBeyondSpring (NASDAQ: BYSI)
is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on
developing innovative therapies to improve clinical outcomes for
patients with high unmet medical needs. The Company is advancing
its first-in-class lead asset, Plinabulin, as a direct anti-cancer
agent in various cancer indications and to prevent
chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Its pipeline also includes three
preclinical immuno-oncology assets. Additionally, BeyondSpring’s
subsidiary, SEED Therapeutics, leverages a proprietary targeted
protein degradation (TPD) drug discovery platform and has an
initial R&D collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company. Learn
more by visiting https://beyondspringpharma.com.
Investor Contact:IR@beyondspringpharma.com
Media Contact:PR@beyondspringpharma.com
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