Targeted Protein Degradation: Growth Drivers and Roadblocks

In a recent article, I discussed the rise of targeted protein degradation (TPD) therapeutics and the surge in big pharma interest in this emerging space. With more than 3,600 tweets posted over the last three years to over 5,000 articles published over the last decade, the concept of targeted protein degradation has got the right people talking.

In contrast to the traditional small molecule inhibitors and antibody drugs, protein degraders are designed to develop drug candidates for many intractable diseases that other therapeutic modalities cannot address.

Owing to extensive research in this domain, multiple protein-degradation-focused biotech firms have emerged with ample funding. In addition, big pharma companies, including Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Novartis, and Pfizer have launched internal efforts and forged partnerships to explore the modality. Recently, Boehringer Ingelheim and the University of Dundee extended their collaboration for the development of PROTAC based drugs to treat cancer, building on the success of their ongoing alliance. Similarly, Novartis collaborated with the University of California, Berkeley to establish the Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies. The center combines Novartis’ expertise in chemical biology with Berkeley’s expertise in covalent chemoproteomics.

To say that this space is growing would be an understatement. The potential to drug the undruggable is just far too more lucrative to let a few roadblocks come in the way. Here is a look at some of the key growth drivers and roadblocks in the targeted protein degradation space:

To get more insights about the targeted protein degradation market, you can also download the SAMPLE REPORT on TPD by Roots Analysis.