Cyrus Biotechnology is advancing its AI-optimized variant of IdeS, an IgG protease, towards first-in-human trials in 2026, targeting IgG-mediated autoimmune diseases. This development follows the announcement that David Baker, a co-founder of Cyrus Biotechnology and professor at the University of Washington, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering work in protein design and prediction.
Baker's work has enabled the creation of artificial proteins with novel structures and hyperstable miniproteins, impacting vaccine platforms and antiviral/anticancer proteins. His breakthroughs have significantly accelerated innovation in the protein AI field, allowing for the design of almost any protein structure.
AI-Driven Protein Engineering at Cyrus
Cyrus Biotechnology is applying AI methods to overcome challenges associated with protein drugs, such as immunogenicity. By predicting immunogenic protein regions and modifying them, Cyrus aims to enhance drug potency and safety. The company is also focused on improving the stability, activity, and potency of its therapeutics while reducing immunogenicity.
Lucas Nivon, CEO of Cyrus, stated, "By applying the technology created by Baker's team, Cyrus scientists are solving some of the biggest challenges of protein drugs, while also developing our own algorithms and new datasets in-house."
IdeS: A Promising Candidate for Autoimmune Diseases
IdeS, a highly immunogenic protease from a bacterial pathogen, degrades antibodies, offering a potential treatment for antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases. These include immune thrombocytopenia, myasthenia gravis, and rheumatoid arthritis, addressing a significant unmet need across over 70 known autoimmune diseases with poor current standards of care.
Yifan Song, Chief Scientific Officer, highlighted IdeS as an example of translating Baker's lab tools into a clinical drug candidate. Cyrus Biotechnology is optimizing IdeS using AI methods to enhance its therapeutic potential.
Cyrus Biotechnology is a pre-clinical-stage AI-driven therapeutics company focused on novel biologics for autoimmune indications. Their pipeline includes the next-generation IdeS IgG protease with half-life extension and immunogenicity optimization, as well as multiple discovery-stage cytokine programs.
