BPGbio, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced its participation in the upcoming 5th Annual TPD and Induced Proximity Summit, scheduled for March 25-27, 2025, in London. The company will showcase its novel approach to targeted protein degradation (TPD) that focuses on the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (E2) family, potentially opening new avenues for treating neurological disorders and various cancers.
Dr. Vivek K. Vishnudas, Chief Technology Officer and R&D Site Head at BPGbio, will deliver a presentation titled "Pioneering a Differentiated Approach to Targeted Protein Degradation Using the Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme (E2) Family" on March 26 as part of the conference's Pre-Clinical and Translation track.
Novel E2-Based Approach to Protein Degradation
While most targeted protein degradation approaches in development focus on E3 ligases, BPGbio has pioneered a differentiated strategy targeting the E2 enzyme family within the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This approach potentially offers significant advantages over traditional methods.
"Our innovative approach to targeted protein degradation via the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) family represents a breakthrough in drug development, allowing us to address previously undruggable targets and overcome resistance mechanisms inherent in traditional E3-based strategies," explained Dr. Vishnudas.
The E2 enzyme family plays a crucial role in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which is responsible for protein degradation in cells. By targeting these enzymes, BPGbio aims to develop more effective therapeutics for conditions where protein accumulation or dysregulation contributes to disease pathology.
Comprehensive Platform and Proprietary Resources
BPGbio's protein homeostasis program is built upon several proprietary technologies and resources. The company has developed a library of over 1,000 Ro3 (Rule of 3) fragments identified as potential ligands and seed compounds specifically for E2 targets. These small molecular fragments adhere to the "Rule of 3" principles, making them ideal starting points for drug development.
The platform also incorporates:
- Proprietary ternary structures for modeling protein interactions
- A computational toolkit specifically designed for E2 ligand development
- Advanced assays to optimize selectivity and specificity of potential therapeutics
This comprehensive approach enables the company to develop both bifunctional degraders and molecular glues targeting the E2 enzyme family, with applications in oncology and neurodegenerative disorders.
Broad Therapeutic Pipeline
BPGbio's focus on protein homeostasis and mitochondrial biology has yielded a diverse pipeline of therapeutic candidates across multiple disease areas. The company's current development programs include treatments for:
- Glioblastoma (orphan drug designation)
- Pancreatic cancer (orphan drug designation)
- Primary CoQ10 deficiency (rare pediatric disease designation)
- Epidermolysis bullosa (orphan drug designation)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (orphan drug designation)
- Sarcopenia
- Various solid and liquid tumors
- Huntington's disease (orphan drug designation)
- Parkinson's disease
Additionally, BPGbio is developing several diagnostic tests, including pstateDx for prostate cancer, parkinsonDx for Parkinson's disease, pancDx for pancreatic cancer, and tests for breast cancer and liver disease.
AI-Powered Drug Discovery
BPGbio's approach to drug discovery and development is powered by its proprietary Interrogative Biology Platform, known as NAi. This AI-driven platform is protected by over 400 US and international patents and leverages one of the world's largest clinically annotated non-governmental biobanks with longitudinal samples.
The company utilizes bespoke Bayesian AI specifically designed for solving large-scale biology challenges, with exclusive access to advanced supercomputing resources. This technology-forward approach allows BPGbio to model patient biology in novel ways, potentially accelerating the development of effective therapeutics for complex diseases.
Headquartered in the greater Boston area, BPGbio positions itself at the intersection of biology, multi-modal data, and artificial intelligence, working to transform disease understanding, diagnosis, and treatment through its innovative platforms and pipeline.
