Ligase Modulators
Ubiquitin ligases are important molecules that control key cellular functions by maintaining appropriate levels and types of proteins within cells. Ubiquitin-mediated protein modulation regulates a broad range of cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and survival/death. When disease-preventing proteins, such as tumor suppressor proteins, are inappropriately removed or disease-causing proteins such as tumorgenic proteins are not properly eliminated from cells, abnormalities in cellular functions may occur and cause diseases such as cancer and inflammation. Our novel ubiquitin ligases are designed to modulate key cell signaling proteins and are potentially accessible targets for developing selective small molecule drugs to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases. Based on these data, we are developing a growing portfolio of small molecule modulators of potential proprietary E3 ligases. We are building a leading intellectual property estate in the emerging field of ubiquitin ligase-biogenetic activities and mediated protein turnover that includes thirty-eight potentially proprietary ligase targets.