Sibylla Biotech and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have announced a strategic collaboration to discover and develop novel small-molecule cancer therapies called Folding Interfering Degraders (FIDs). These therapies disrupt the proper folding of target proteins, leading to their degradation. The collaboration will see Sibylla and MD Anderson work together on discovery and development, from target identification through drug candidate nomination, with potential for further pre-clinical and clinical development.
Sibylla will bring its Pharmacological Protein Inactivation by Folding Intermediates Targeting (PPI-FIT) technology to the table, while MD Anderson contributes its drug development expertise from its Therapeutics Discovery division. The aim is to create new treatments for hard-to-treat cancers by leveraging PPI-FIT to target proteins currently considered “undruggable.”
“We are committed to expanding the applications of our PPI-FIT technology and FIDs to provide new treatment options for hard-to-treat indications,” said Lidia Pieri, PhD, MBA, Co-Founder and CEO of Sibylla Biotech. “Collaborating with MD Anderson’s team of drug development experts aligns perfectly with our vision of treating patients with high unmet medical need.”
Tim Heffernan, PhD, vice president and head of Therapeutics Discovery at MD Anderson, added, “Folding interfering degraders represent an exciting new modality to target key cancer drivers. By combining Sibylla’s innovative PPI-FIT technology with our drug development engine, we aim to develop impactful new medicines for patients in need of more effective therapies.”
MD Anderson’s Therapeutics Discovery division is designed to streamline drug discovery by integrating scientists, clinicians, and drug development experts. This collaboration promises to accelerate the development of cancer therapies inspired by patient needs and clinical insights.
Following the nomination of a drug candidate, Sibylla and MD Anderson may continue with further drug development, translational, and clinical activities to advance the candidate to patients in need.
Disclosure
MD Anderson has an institutional conflict of interest with Sibylla and will implement an Institutional Conflict of Interest Management and Monitoring Plan to manage this relationship.
About MD Anderson
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is a globally respected institution focused on cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. Dedicated to ending cancer, MD Anderson was one of the first National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers. It is ranked No. 1 for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report and has consistently been one of the top two hospitals for cancer since 1990. MD Anderson receives support from the NCI of the National Institutes of Health.
