BPGbio to Present Novel E2-Based TPD Program at 5th Annual Summit
BPGbio, Inc., a leading biology-first, AI-powered, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on mitochondrial biology and protein homeostasis, has announced its participation in the 5th Annual Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) and Induced Proximity Summit. This prestigious event will take place from March 25-27, 2025, in London, UK, and will bring together experts from academia and industry to discuss the latest advancements in targeted protein degradation (TPD) and induced proximity-based drug development.
During the summit, BPGbio’s Chief Technology Officer and R&D Site Head, Dr. Vivek K. Vishnudas, Ph.D., will present a session titled, “Pioneering a Differentiated Approach to Targeted Protein Degradation Using the Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme (E2) Family.” This presentation is scheduled for March 26 as part of the conference’s Pre-Clinical and Translation track, where Dr. Vishnudas will showcase BPGbio’s pioneering work in leveraging the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) family for protein degradation.
Targeted protein degradation is an emerging field in drug development that offers a promising strategy to eliminate disease-causing proteins by leveraging the body’s natural protein degradation pathways. Traditionally, most TPD approaches have centered around the use of E3 ligases to target specific proteins for degradation. However, BPGbio’s novel approach utilizes the E2 enzyme family, which plays a crucial role in the ubiquitin-proteasome system, as an alternative method for inducing protein degradation. This innovative strategy provides new avenues for targeting previously undruggable proteins and overcoming resistance mechanisms inherent in conventional E3-based strategies.
“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,” said Dr. Vishnudas. “We look forward to sharing our progress in developing E2-based bifunctional and glue degraders for oncology and neurodegenerative disorders.”
BPGbio’s focus on E2 enzymes as a therapeutic modality represents a major departure from conventional TPD methods, which primarily rely on E3 ligases. The ubiquitin-proteasome system is a complex pathway where E1, E2, and E3 enzymes work in concert to tag proteins for degradation. While E3 ligases confer substrate specificity, the E2 enzyme family plays a pivotal role in determining the efficiency of ubiquitination. BPGbio’s approach harnesses the power of E2 enzymes to drive selective protein degradation, thereby expanding the scope of TPD beyond the limited number of druggable E3 ligases.
In addition to its E2-focused approach, BPGbio’s protein homeostasis program incorporates a proprietary library of over 1,000 Ro3 (Rule of Three) fragments identified as potential ligands and seed compounds for E2 targets. This library provides a rich source of starting points for the discovery of novel E2 ligands, which can be optimized for therapeutic applications. The program also features proprietary ternary structures, a computational toolkit for E2 ligand design, and advanced biochemical and cellular assays designed to optimize selectivity and specificity. These tools enable BPGbio to develop highly potent and selective E2-targeted degraders with the potential to address a wide range of diseases.
By leveraging AI-driven drug discovery and computational modeling, BPGbio has been able to accelerate the identification of novel E2 ligands and optimize their properties for therapeutic development. AI-driven approaches allow for the rapid screening of large chemical libraries, identification of optimal binding sites, and prediction of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. This integration of computational and experimental methodologies enhances the efficiency of the drug discovery process and increases the likelihood of identifying successful drug candidates.
BPGbio’s therapeutic pipeline spans multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, and rare genetic disorders. Its portfolio includes drug candidates for:
- Glioblastoma (orphan drug designation)
- Pancreatic cancer (orphan drug designation)
- Primary CoQ10 deficiency (rare pediatric disease designation)
- Epidermolysis bullosa (EB, orphan drug designation)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, orphan drug designation)
- Sarcopenia
- Solid and liquid tumors
- Huntington’s disease (orphan drug designation)
- Parkinson’s disease
In addition to its therapeutic pipeline, BPGbio has a robust diagnostics portfolio, which includes its prostate diagnostic test (pstateDx), as well as tests in development for the detection of:
- Parkinson’s disease (parkinsonDx)
- Pancreatic cancer (pancDx)
- Breast cancer
- Liver disease
BPGbio’s AI-powered approach to drug discovery and development sets it apart in the biopharmaceutical industry. By integrating machine learning, computational chemistry, and high-throughput screening, the company has been able to accelerate the identification of promising drug candidates and optimize their properties for clinical development. This data-driven strategy not only improves efficiency but also reduces the time and cost associated with bringing new therapeutics to market.
The company’s participation in the 5th Annual TPD and Induced Proximity Summit underscores its commitment to advancing the field of targeted protein degradation and pushing the boundaries of drug discovery. The summit provides an opportunity for researchers, industry leaders, and investors to engage in discussions about the latest trends, challenges, and breakthroughs in protein degradation technologies. By presenting its novel E2-based approach, BPGbio aims to highlight the potential of E2 enzymes as a new class of drug targets and stimulate further innovation in the field.
BPGbio plans to continue expanding its protein homeostasis program by exploring additional E2 enzymes, optimizing its bifunctional and glue degraders, and advancing its lead candidates toward clinical development. The company remains focused on leveraging its expertise in mitochondrial biology and protein homeostasis to develop groundbreaking therapies for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and rare genetic disorders.
As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, targeted protein degradation remains one of the most promising areas of research. By pioneering an E2-based approach, BPGbio is positioning itself at the forefront of this rapidly growing field. With its strong scientific foundation, innovative technology platform, and commitment to translational research, the company is well-equipped to drive the next wave of advancements in targeted protein degradation and deliver transformative therapies to patients in need.
The 5th Annual TPD and Induced Proximity Summit will serve as a key platform for BPGbio to showcase its novel drug discovery strategies and engage with the broader scientific and business community. With its unique focus on E2-based protein degradation, BPGbio is poised to make a significant impact in the field and contribute to the development of next-generation therapies for some of the most challenging diseases.
