The startup develops targeted protein degradation therapeutics that utilize novel mechanisms to modulate the degradation of disease-related proteins. This approach aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy for a range of diseases by precisely regulating protein abundance linked to disease progression.
Funding
$61.5M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
DDFounders
Product
Problem
Traditional drug development approaches often focus on inhibiting protein function, which may not be effective for all disease-related proteins, particularly those lacking enzymatic activity or with scaffolding functions. Many disease-causing proteins are also difficult to target with conventional small molecules, leaving a significant unmet need for new therapeutic modalities.
Solution
Amphista Therapeutics is developing targeted protein degradation (TPD) therapeutics using its proprietary Targeted Glue® technology to selectively remove disease-causing proteins from the body. Unlike traditional inhibitors, Amphista's Targeted Glues® are designed to harness the cell's natural waste disposal system to degrade and remove specific pathogenic proteins. These rationally designed molecules offer improved physiochemical properties, enabling broader tissue reach and oral bioavailability, with the potential to address a wider range of disease targets, including those in the central nervous system (CNS). The company's approach does not rely on cereblon or VHL, commonly used in first-generation TPD approaches.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes pharmaceutical companies and researchers focused on developing novel therapeutics for diseases with high unmet needs, particularly in oncology and neurodegeneration.
Features
- Rationally designed Targeted Glues® that selectively degrade disease-causing proteins
- Chemistry-first approach to optimize drug-like properties and tissue penetration
- Oral bioavailability and CNS penetration for targeting a wider range of diseases
- Novel mechanism of action that does not rely on cereblon or VHL
- AMPX TPD warheads with unique, patented structures
- Cryo-EM enabled platform for discovering novel Targeted Glue™ degraders
- Advanced data analytics, including AI/ML, and computational modeling to aid understanding
- High-content, multiplexed assay technologies to rapidly advance programs