Proxygen, a global leader in molecular glue degrader discovery and development, has announced a strategic research collaboration with EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne) to advance AI-driven approaches in targeted protein degradation. The partnership combines Proxygen's validated glue degrader discovery platform with the pioneering computational protein design work of Professor Bruno Correia at EPFL.
Bridging Computational Design with Experimental Validation
The collaboration aims to build a next-generation discovery paradigm that bridges high-throughput in vitro screening with state-of-the-art in silico design. Together, the teams will develop new methods to systematically predict and validate neosubstrate-ligase interactions and design chemical matter capable of inducing targeted protein degradation.
"This partnership gives us the chance to translate cutting-edge academic tools into real-world therapeutic innovation," said Professor Bruno Correia. "Proxygen's deep scientific roots make it natural to collaborate as equals - there is a strong mutual understanding that allows us to explore complex questions and unlock entirely new opportunities in degrader design."
The integrated approach builds on the strength of Proxygen's established discovery platform and is expected to further accelerate and expand glue degrader development with greater precision and scale across a broad target landscape.
Expanding Discovery Capabilities
Matthias Brand, CTO of Proxygen, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration: "Bringing together Professor Correia's world-class in silico approaches with our validated glue discovery engine opens a new chapter in rational degrader discovery. Bruno is one of the most influential minds in computational protein design, and his lab's methods are a perfect complement to our platform."
Brand noted that the collaboration represents both a technological milestone and a significant expansion of discovery reach, accelerating the ability to generate high-quality development candidates across previously inaccessible target space.
Strategic Momentum in Molecular Glue Development
Bernd Boidol, CEO of Proxygen, highlighted the company's expanding capabilities: "We have built world-class capabilities in screening for glue degraders in vitro. With this collaboration, Proxygen is extending its leadership into the computational space as well. Our approach is already validated through partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies."
Boidol emphasized that with a highly productive platform and a pipeline of assets approaching the clinic, the company is entering a new phase of scientific and strategic momentum.
Addressing the Undruggable Target Space
Molecular glue degraders represent a promising therapeutic modality due to their ability to modulate protein classes unamenable to traditional drug discovery approaches. These molecules hold the promise of unlocking a large proportion of the undruggable target space. Proxygen has developed a highly versatile, proprietary discovery engine supporting the specific and unbiased identification of molecular glue degraders against difficult-to-drug or completely undruggable targets at large scale.
The company has generated expansive knowledge and data in the discovery and chemical optimization of degrader molecules, positioning it as a pioneer in this novel modality. While advancing its internal programs towards clinical development, Proxygen maintains various strategic partnerships, including collaborations with Merck KGaA and Merck & Co Inc. to co-create synergies along the drug development pipeline.
Computational Protein Design Expertise
The Correia Lab at EPFL specializes in computational protein design and AI-driven drug discovery. The lab is at the forefront of developing novel algorithms and modeling approaches that enable the prediction and engineering of protein interactions with therapeutic relevance. By combining deep expertise in structural biology, machine learning, and molecular design, the Correia Lab is helping to reshape how biologics and small molecules are conceived and optimized.
This collaboration builds on Proxygen's strong academic foundation, as the company was founded by leading scientists in the molecular glue degrader field and maintains a deep commitment to scientific partnerships. With a belief that breakthrough innovation emerges at the interface of academic and industry-driven research, Proxygen actively seeks collaborations with academic groups whose pioneering work continues to advance the frontiers of computational design in drug discovery.
