{"id":10980,"date":"2020-03-12T19:32:42","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T14:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rootsanalysis.com\/blog\/?p=10980"},"modified":"2026-07-30T22:03:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T16:33:46","slug":"targeted-protein-degradation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rootsanalysis.com\/blog\/targeted-protein-degradation\/","title":{"rendered":"TPD and the Rise of Kymera Therapeutics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Targeted protein degradation (TPD), as a mechanism to target previously untreatable conditions, was one of the key highlights of the year 2019. In an article published late last year titled targeted protein degradation market<\/a>, we discussed, in detail, the epic rise in the popularity of TPD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is TPD?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

TPD is an emerging modality that allows access to difficult-to-treat diseases. While conventional medicines such as small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies address fewer than 20% of the proteome profile<\/a>, TPD offers a unique means to tap into the rest of the vast, unexplored proteome. Through this, a disease can be addressed by controlling the amount of a harmful protein rather than trying to modulate or inhibit its function. The control of protein levels is accomplished with a small molecule drug called a protein degrader.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Growing<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Who are the key developers in TPD?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Owing to extensive research in this domain, multiple TPD-focused biotech firms have emerged with ample funding. In addition, big pharma companies, including\u00a0Boehringer Ingelheim,\u00a0Celgene<\/a>,\u00a0Novartis, and\u00a0Pfizer\u00a0<\/a>have launched internal efforts and forged partnerships to explore the modality. Recently,\u00a0Boehringer Ingelheim and the University of Dundee<\/a>\u00a0extended their collaboration for the development of PROTAC based drugs to treat cancer, building on the success of their ongoing alliance.\u00a0Similarly,\u00a0Novartis collaborated with the University of California, Berkeley to establish the Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies<\/a>. The center combines Novartis\u2019 expertise in chemical biology with Berkeley\u2019s expertise in covalent chemoproteomics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the big news about Kymera Therapeutics?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kymera Therapeutics has been one of the pioneers in the field of TPD. It has been using its proprietary Pegasus technology, what it calls a game-changing integrated degradation platform<\/em>, to attack inflammation-related diseases. In fact, as per the company’s website, it has around 7 programs in its pipeline for the treatment of inflammatory\/immunology\/oncology disorders. Here is an overview of the company’s pipeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the company announced a series C investment of USD 102 million. This round was led by Biotechnology Value Fund (BVF) and Redmile Group. In addition, other participants including Wellington Management Company, Bain Capital Life Sciences, funds managed by Janus Henderson Investors and BlackRock, Rock Springs Capital and a large US-based, healthcare-focused fund, also joined the funding round. Morever, the existing investors also participated in the round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, the company also received a strategic investment from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society\u2018s Therapy Acceleration Program\u00ae (LLS TAP) directed toward advancing the company\u2019s work to treat blood-based cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a video by the company’s Founder, President & CEO highlighting the key elements of Kymera’s platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our team is making great strides to realize the promise and potential of targeted protein degradation. In this video, @NelloMainolfi<\/a>, Founder, President & CEO, explains the key elements of our platform: https:\/\/t.co\/cAAiS8eENc<\/a>#science<\/a><\/p>— Kymera Therapeutics (@KymeraTx) March 4, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>