Our Science:
Targeting dysregulated transcription factors in cancer
Addressing the complexity of oncogenic TRNs requires a sophisticated and holistic approach to targeting cancer biology. TRNs encompass hundreds of proteins that function in a coordinated fashion to orchestrate specific gene expression programs that control development and function of healthy cells. Dysregulated TRNs resulting from aberrant transcription factor expression or activity are frequently responsible for reprogramming healthy cells into cancerous tumor cells. We apply computational biology to map the TRNs and identify the critical nodes and gene expression signatures that drive cancer. We believe that these critical nodes present attractive targets for therapeutic intervention using a biomarker-driven precision medicine strategy.
MAP: Targeting oncogenic TRNs
We begin with selection of an oncogenic transcription factor with a well-defined and central role in driving a particular type of cancer, and for which precision medicine strategies are available to select patients for therapy based on relevant biomarkers. We leverage our computational biology expertise to map the structure of oncogenic TRNs defined by specific transcription factors and identify the gene expression signature of selective transcription factor modulation that can be carried forward into clinical translation.
Hit prioritization based on gene expression signature
SCREEN: Small molecule microarray (SMM) screening platform
We apply our SMM product engine to conduct high throughput binding assays against traditionally undruggable target proteins in tumor cell lysate. By conducting screens in cell lysate, we maintain endogenous protein structures and complexes and can probe the entire target protein interactome (often dozens or hundreds of protein-protein interactions) in a single assay.
Hits identified in SMM lysate screens may be binders of the target proteins or its immediate co-factors, and may regulate the target protein through a variety of direct or indirect mechanisms including inhibition, stabilization or destabilization of target proteins or complexes. This unbiased approach may produce hits that directly engage either historically tractable targets or those considered more challenging such as transcription factors. We prioritize hits that selectively replicate the gene expression signature of transcription factor modulation.
Small molecule microarray (SMM) discovery platform
- 240,000 compound library covalently printed on slides
- Allows screening of cell lysates/nuclear extracts
- Target protein in native conformation and context
OPTIMIZE:
From hit to product candidate
We focus on understanding the connection between molecular characteristics and target engagement to refine pharmacological properties of hits from our SMM platform to match the desired clinical product profile.
VALIDATE:
Rapid clinical proof-of-concept
We leverage our translational expertise to design and execute hypothesis-driven clinical trials in biomarker-selected patient populations to rapidly achieve clinical proof of concept and inform a more efficient product approval strategy.