The new class of proximity-induced drugs allows for the targeted degradation of disease-relevant proteins (target structures), opening up new therapeutic options in numerous diseases, amongst them some with high unmet medical need. The respective drugs usually are small, bifunctional molecules that direct target structures straight towards the cellular waste system. It is assumed that 80% of proteins that are so far deemed as undruggable may be targeted by this strategy. Within the Rhein-Main region, the relevant expertise needed to bring this innovative strategy to a broad application is clustered in a Europe-wide unique way. Therefore, together with Fraunhofer Institute IME and Technical University Darmstadt, Goethe University Frankfurt plans to establish the ProxiDrugs Cluster4Future. The key piece of the Cluster is a technology platform for drug discovery and preclinical development. The Cluster aims at improving the new class of drugs in different ways: The strategy comprises the identification of suitable functional subunits for molecule engineering, the directed optimization of pharmacological properties, and the transfer to clinical phases. The Cluster will especially benefit from the know-how, relevant facilities and equipment as well as available screening libraries at the Structural Genomics Consortium Frankfurt Site and at Fraunhofer IME. Numerous regional partners have already expressed an interest in concrete projects, amongst them big pharma companies as well as small spin-offs.
As announced today, the PROXIDRUGS consortium has been selected for funding within the Clusters4Future initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), which aims at promoting regional innovation networks for the benefit of economy and society. PROXIDRUGS will be funded with up to 15 M € for the next three years, as only one of 7 clusters selected for funding from a total of 137 applications.
The consortium concentrates on developing new treatments for diseases with high unmet medical need by utilizing the new concept of proximity induction in drug design. It is assumed that 80% of the proteins that are so far deemed as undruggable may be targeted by this strategy. “Proxidrugs open up exciting new therapeutic options in numerous diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration and infection. Proxidrugs can trigger degradation of disease-relevant proteins in a highly specific fashion by directing them towards the cellular recycling system”, explains cluster speaker Ivan Đikić from Goethe University.
PROXIDRUGS has been set up as a regional network of partners from academia and industry, covering the entire value chain from basic to translational research. Academic participants are based at Goethe University Frankfurt, TU Darmstadt, University of Heidelberg, the MPI of Biophysics and the Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, and they are closely working together with major pharma partners.
At Goethe University, the Frankfurt Center for Innovation & Technologies will be established as academic innovation hub that provides the needed technologies to the consortium. Ivan Đikić adds: “The early and close collaboration between all partners marks the start of a new era in drug development within the Rhine Main region. This culture of teamwork and sharing knowledge paves the way for an efficient transfer towards therapeutic applications.”
02. Jun 2023 11:00h
Location: Uni Campus Riedberg Otto-Stern-Zentrum Hall H2
06. Mar 2023 18:00h
Location: GU Frankfurt - Uniklinik Haus 22, Hörsaal 2
Hybrid Lecture
26. Sep 2022 16:15h
Location: Lecture Hall H20-5, Bldg. 20, Campus Niederrad
Hybrid Lecture
29. Sep 2020 16:00h
Location: Virtual Lecture via Zoom; Meeting-ID: 962 0881 2086 Kenncode: 612251
Virtual Lecture
PROXIDRUGS-Clusterbüro
Institut für Biochemie II
Goethe-Universität Frankfurt - Fachbereich Medizin
Universitätsklinikum - Gebäude 75
Theodor-Stern-Kai 7
60590 Frankfurt am Main/Germany
Email proxidrugs@uni-frankfurt.de
Telefon +49 (0) 69 6301-84972