SCIENCE

SPDEM

SPiDEM™

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is a novel platform technology in which a small molecule selectively binds to a pathological protein and concurrently activates the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This interaction results in the degradation of the targeted protein. TPD technology has several advantages over current therapeutics. TPD-based drugs interact with and eliminate target proteins instead of modulating their activities. The most important feature of TPD technology is that every protein, including previously undruggable proteins, can be targeted.Despite its huge potential, current TPD technology has significant limitations. Due to the large molecular weight of TPD-based drugs, this technology is hindered by low bioavailability and low penetration of the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, current TPD technology is limited by the number of E3 ubiquitin ligases, which induce ubiquitination of the target protein. Tissue expression profiles of E3 ubiquitin ligases and possible mutations in genes encoding the E3 ubiquitin ligases are also obstacles for the successful development of TPD therapeutics. We have developed a novel TPD technology to overcome these limitations. Our SPiDEM™ technology is based on a completely different mode of action that has enabled us to develop SPiDEM™-based drug candidates with superior pharmacokinetics and efficacy.

Virus

Anti-viral drug

We are developing novel therapeutics to treat viral infections and the associated disease states. We are currently focusing on treating viral diseases by targeting host factors involved in the viral life cycle or virus-mediated inflammation. Our pipeline encompasses therapeutics to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB) caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) as well as acute lung inflammation caused by coronaviruses, influenza viruses, and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).