Defand Therapeutics

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TARGETED PROTEIN DEGRADATION · RATIONAL MGD DISCOVERY

Defand Therapeutics

Defand Therapeutics revolutionizes the discovery and development of target protein degradation assets, deploying DEFUSE, its target-centric, patented high throughput screen platform that shifts the discovery paradigm of molecular glue degraders, making rational design of small molecule degraders of high value disease targets a reality.

Our News
Patented HTS Platform
DEFUSE
Target Screen Cell Lines
~200
Founded in Hangzhou
2023

Scroll to explore the mechanism

02 / Our Science

UndruggableMolecular glue degraders

Our endeavor is to address unmet medical needs of patients, while pioneering solutions for 'undruggable' disease-associated proteins or 'non-druggable' targets.

80%

Disease drivers considered undruggableAn opportunity for a different approach.

Scientific context

Bestowing targeted and efficient protein degradation, molecular glue degraders emerge as therapeutic solutions for 80% of disease drivers used to be considered undruggable, with diseases encompassing cancer, autoimmune, and neurodegeneration, and infection.

Disease driver landscapeMGD / 01
80 / Undruggable space
20 / Remaining space

Conceptual illustration based on company information. Not experimental data or a treatment success rate.

  • ONCCancer
  • AUIAutoimmune
  • NEUNeurodegeneration
  • INFInfection

MECHANISM · MOLECULAR GLUE DEGRADERS

Induced proximity. Targeted degradation.

Molecular glue–induced protein degradationA disease-associated target protein is shown beside the cell’s E3 ligase.ProteasomeTarget proteinE3 ligase
  • Target protein
  • Molecular glue
  • E3 ligase
  • Ubiquitin chain
  • Proteasome
Illustrative mechanism · not a structural model or experimental result

STEP 01 / 05

Target protein

A disease-associated protein is the target of the degradation pathway.

Molecular glue degraders (MGD) epitomize a pioneering category of pharmaceutical agents to instigate the degradation of targeted disease proteins. Similar to the natural protein degradation pathways such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system, these agents selectively engage target proteins and usher them towards cellular degradation machineries for breakdown and clearance. Bestowing targeted and efficient protein degradation, molecular glue degraders emerge as therapeutic solutions for 80% of disease drivers used to be considered undruggable, with diseases encompassing cancer, autoimmune, and neurodegeneration, and infection.
  1. 01

    Target protein

    A disease-associated protein is the target of the degradation pathway.

  2. 02

    Molecular glue

    A molecular glue promotes an interaction between the target and an E3 ligase.

  3. 03

    Ternary complex

    The target protein, molecular glue and E3 ligase assemble into a ternary complex.

  4. 04

    Ubiquitin tagging

    The E3 ligase enables ubiquitin chains to be attached to the target protein.

  5. 05

    Degrade & recycle

    The tagged target is broken down by the proteasome; molecular glue can be released and reused.

DISCOVERY PLATFORM · PHENOTYPIC SCREENING

DEFUSE

Lack of high throughput screen platform is a major bottleneck issue that impedes the discovery of MGDs. Our MGD Discovery platform, DEFUSE (DEath FUSion Escaper screen), translates target protein degradation into a clear-cut & easily analyzed live-death phenotype. This process can be executed with high efficiency and has led to the discovery of several novel, first-in-class protein degradation compounds.
The DEFUSE system exhibits applicability across a spectrum of target proteins, spanning cytoplasmic, nuclear, transmembrane, and viral categories. This multifaceted adaptability positions DEFUSE as a versatile platform for effectively targeting a diverse array of disease-related proteins, highlighting the expansive potential in identifying candidates for the degradation of disease-associated proteins.
Discuss a collaboration
DEFUSETarget degradation → live–death phenotype
Illustrated phenotypic screening gridAn illustrative screening plate is read by a moving scan. Highlighted wells are schematic and do not represent experimental data or measured results.Illustrated screening grid
  1. Target-centric screen
  2. Live–death phenotype
  3. Hit validation
Illustration only · not experimental data, measured activity or clinical status
  • CYTOCytoplasmic
  • NUCLNuclear
  • TMEMTransmembrane
  • VIRLViral

Building on our deep understanding of disease drivers, we have established degrader screen cell lines for ~200 important target proteins.

Important Target Proteins
~200
for Cancer
~120
Well-established cancer drivers and internally discovered cancer targets
for Other Diseases
~80
Immune, neurodegeneration, metabolic diseases, infection, etc.
  • Oncology
  • Autoinflammation
  • Genetic diseases
  • Undisclosed

Our Company

Defand Therapeutics

  • 2023Founded
  • HangzhouHeadquarters
  • DEFUSEPatented platform

Defand Therapeutics developed DEFUSE, the patented drug screening platform. We are committed to the discovery and development of small molecule protein degraders. Our endeavor is to address unmet medical needs of patients, while pioneering solutions for 'undruggable' disease-associated proteins or 'non-druggable' targets.

  • Hai Jiang, Ph.D

    FOUNDER

    Hai Jiang, Ph.D

    Scientific Founder

  • Zhihua Sui, Ph.D

    CSO

    Zhihua Sui, Ph.D

    Chief Scientific Officer

  • Huanwei Ru, Ph.D

    COO

    Huanwei Ru, Ph.D

    Chief Operating Officer

  • Larry Cai, MBA

    CBO

    Larry Cai, MBA

    Chief Business Officer

  • CFO

    *******, Ph.D

    Chief Financial Officer

Our Partnerships

As a preferred partner, we seamlessly integrate external innovation with internal capabilities to deliver transformative outcomes.

  • Selleck (China)

    Since 2022, we have established substantial collaborations with Selleck (China) in the realms of compound library synthesis and hit compound optimization.

  • Innovation Drug Discovery Platform

    Focused on targeted protein degradation to conquer "undruggable" targets and establish new paradigms as the partner of choice.

Explore partnerships

Get in Touch

Contact Us

Since our inception in 2023, Defand Therapeutics strives to be the frontrunner in targeted protein degradation (TPD) science. Scientists at Defand Therapeutics work tirelessly to discover and develop new protein degraders to help patients. We also believe that collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, as researchers from diverse backgrounds come together to tackle complex scientific challenges and drive innovation forward.

Address
13th Floor, Chuanhua Innovation Building, Xiaoshan Science and Technology City, Yuanqing Road, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, China.
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Map of Chuanhua Innovation Building, Xiaoshan
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