Pre-Conference Workshop Day | Tuesday 19th March, 2024

8:30 am – 10:30 am | WORKSHOP A

Identifying Novel E3 Ligases & Ligands to Create New & Therapeutically Valuable Avenues for Degradation

  • Martin Schwalm Structural Genomics Consortium Scientist, Goethe University Frankfurt
  • Stefan Knapp Principal Investigator, SGC Frankfurt

Synopsis

With CRBN and VHL dominating the TPD landscape, there remains one key question – what of the other 600+ E3 ligases? We are now beginning to develop the tools, techniques, and methodologies to identify, characterize, and validate these ligases and their ligands in a rational, high throughput manner. Identifying the next great ligase will unlock a whole new realm of possibility for treating patients in need.

Attend this Workshop to:

  • Identify a new pathway and understand molecular and cellular biology underpinning its potential to be targeted for degradation
  • Pinpoint suitable candidate degraders that may be adapted/modified to degrade pathway targets outside of the proteosome
  • Select the best existing assays and screening approaches to identify, characterise, and validate a lesser explored pathway or set of potential targets

10:30 am | Morning Break & Networking

11:30 am – 1:30 pm | WORKSHOP B

Harnessing Innovative Platforms, Molecular & Cellular Assay Development & Screening Techniques to Explore Novel Protein Degradation Targets

Synopsis

Protein degradation has immense potential to drug the ‘undruggable’ – by eliminating disease causing proteins previously thought to be not addressable by classical therapeutic approaches. Extracellular proteins compose approximately 40% of the proteome, creating vast untapped potential until now… 

Attend this Workshop to:

  • Uncover the vast potential in unlocking extracellular targets for degradation via alternative pathways with pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic insight 
  • Acquire the know-how and tools to develop biochemical assays for identifying and validating target binding outside the cell compared to intracellular proteins
  • Leverage insight and lessons learned in three leading protein degradation companies enabling development of first-in-class and best-in-class targeted medicines
    • EpiBiologics EpiTAC to degrade target proteins in the membrane and extracellularly 
    • Draupnir Bio’s platform to degrade proteins via small-molecule mediated lysosomal shuttling
    • Dunad Therapeutics Claymor platform to degrade intracellular proteins

1:30 pm | Lunch Break & Networking

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm | WORKSHOP C

TPD of the Future: Introducing Highly Sophisticated AI/ML Tools & Computational Techniques to Accelerate your Degrader Discovery & Development Programmes

  • David Shorthouse Lecturer, University College London, School of Pharmacy
  • Chris Tame Head of drug discovery, Celeris Therapeutics

Synopsis

With the arrival of AI and Machine Learning (ML), a new age for TPD discovery and development is emerging. AI is enabling developers to make predictions on structures, conformational changes, and in turn, make educated decisions on what compounds to advance. We’ll explore how academia are using computational methods to expedite research, how ML is applied to TPD molecules, and how the industry is applying these techniques to advance pipelines.

Attend this Workshop to:

  • Explore AI/ML’s ability to make accurate predictions of ternary complex formation and compound structure to inform optimisation
  • Uncover opportunities for and potential of machine learning in TPD
  • Explore the current challenges and barriers to effectively applying machine learning in TPD
  • Receive guidance on applying machine learning to TPD molecules (ideally with release of publicly available starter set” of code)

4:30 pm | End of Pre-Conference Workshop Day