Translating SureTACs to the clinic for improved cancer treatment

Translating SureTACs to the clinic for improved cancer treatment

Currently, about 80 percent of proteins have been proven difficult-to-drug, thus providing a stumbling block for the development of novel targeted therapies. We established a novel approach for cancer treatment that acts via induced cellular destruction of cancer-specific proteins at the cell surface, rather than blocking them. This technology, dubbed SureTACs (Surface removal Targeting Chimeras), displayed highly promising results at preclinical stages, and provided a starting point for start-up company Laigo Bio to translate these findings towards the development of new cancer therapies with longer duration of action and fewer side effects.

A unique aspect of SureTACs technology is that it offers the possibility to destroy any target protein, including undruggable targets, opening up new avenues of drug development for diseases that currently lack suitable treatment options. Ultimately, this impact is expected to go beyond oncology, possibly providing this novel biological approach for unmet medical needs identified in for example immunological and neurological diseases.

The overarching mission of all parties of the project is to reduce the burden of disease, and especially cancer. This project will take the crucial next step for the development of SureTAC technology as a treatment modality for cancer, by optimising and advancing two lead SureTAC molecules through the lead optimization phase, bringing them to the development candidate nomination stage. This will pave the way for further clinical development, including future tox and IND-enabling studies by Laigo Bio to promptly move promising compounds into the clinic.

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Summary
Blockade of protein function has offered major progress in cancer treatment, but the majority of proteins remains undruggable. We developed a fundamentally novel approach that utilises cellular enzymes to remove hard-to-drug proteins from the cell surface and send them for destruction, rather than inhibiting them.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
3 - 6
Time period
18 months
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