Chiara Biosciences develops next-generation, orally available small molecule degraders using an efficient discovery platform. The company focuses on creating novel medicines to address diseases that are currently undrugged or inadequately treated. This work aims to bring new therapeutic options to patients suffering from challenging conditions.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Many disease-causing proteins are considered "undruggable" or are challenging to target effectively with conventional therapies. First-generation targeted protein degradation (TPD) therapies face limitations due to their large size, complex structure, poor drug-like properties, and limited selection of E3 ligase partners. These limitations hinder oral administration, central nervous system penetration, and the range of addressable targets.
Solution
Chiara Biosciences is developing next-generation, orally available small molecule degraders using its proprietary CURE-PROs (Combinatorial Ubiquitination REal-time PROteolysis) platform. CURE-PROs are designed to self-assemble inside cells, eliminating target proteins rather than temporarily interrupting their function. These degraders are significantly smaller than first-generation TPDs, facilitating cell entry, oral administration, and central nervous system penetration. The platform expands the number of available E3 ligase partners, increasing the potential target space. The high-throughput screening platform enables rapid identification of hits through combinatorial pairing of target protein and E3 ligase engagers.
Target Audience
The primary audience includes pharmaceutical companies and research institutions focused on developing therapies for diseases with previously undruggable or inadequately drugged protein targets.
Features
- CURE-PROs: Small-molecule degraders designed for intracellular self-assembly
- Modular platform enabling combinatorial pairing of target protein and E3 ligase engagers
- High-throughput screening for rapid identification of hit compounds
- Designed to overcome the "hook effect" seen in first-generation TPDs, resulting in larger therapeutic windows
- Expand the number of addressable targets by utilizing a greater diversity of E3 ligase partners
- Rational design allows for relatively easy, fast, and cost-effective synthesis