Therabene develops novel PROTAC degraders using generative AI and virtual screening to target undruggable proteins implicated in cancer, viral, and autoimmune diseases. Their technology focuses on selectively eliminating target proteins, such as CDK9, rather than just inhibiting them, aiming for high potency and low toxicity. This approach seeks to provide sustained therapeutic effects for difficult-to-treat conditions by harnessing the cell's ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Many diseases, including cancers, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections, are driven by proteins considered "undruggable" due to the lack of effective small-molecule inhibitors. Traditional drug discovery methods often struggle to address these challenging targets, leaving significant unmet medical needs.
Solution
Therabene is developing a novel class of targeted protein degraders using Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) technology to address previously undruggable targets. By combining virtual screening, generative AI, and conventional laboratory practices, they design high-potency, low-toxicity molecules that selectively degrade disease-causing proteins. This approach offers a therapeutic modality that goes beyond simply inhibiting protein activity, aiming to eliminate the target protein entirely. Their PROTAC molecules are designed for the treatment of cancers, autoimmune diseases, and certain viral infections.
Target Audience
Therabene's primary target audience includes pharmaceutical and biotech companies, academic and clinical research institutions focused on developing novel therapeutics for cancers, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections.
Features
- PROTAC-based targeted protein degradation for undruggable targets
- Virtual screening and generative AI-driven molecule design
- TB-008/TB-003B: PROTAC degraders targeting CDK9 in preclinical development for triple-negative breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer
- TB-M-002: Inhibitor targeting Myc in preclinical development for pancreatic cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, and ovarian cancer