Baylor College of Medicine and Site Tx, Inc. are collaborating to develop novel small-molecule drugs that allow for the fine-tuning of immune responses in multiple disease.
Focusing on small molecule discoveries using DNA-encoded library screening and the synthesis of drug-like compounds, the collaboration aims to identify compounds for several protein targets.
This multi-year project includes research led by Dr. Damian Young, director of the Center for Drug Discovery at Baylor and Dr. Martin Matzuk, professor and chair of pathology and immunology at Baylor.
Baylor's Center for Drug Discovery houses a DNA-encoded library with over 7 billion unique compounds. This collection and high-throughput methodology enables rapid screening and identification of highly selective molecules with therapeutic potential, accelerating the pace of early-stage drug discovery.
Site Tx, Inc. decodes the genetic architecture that governs immune cell function in both health and disease, down to the single-nucleotide level. Using technology developed in the Marson Lab at University of California San Francisco Gladstone Institutes, the company conducts high-throughput functional genomics in human cells to construct a comprehensive blueprint for precise modulation of immune responses.
"The scale and diversity of our libraries gives us an unparalleled ability to identify novel small molecule drug candidates. Working together with Site Tx allows us to apply this capability to a cutting-edge platform focused on immune modulation, with the potential to unlock transformative therapies."
The first phase of the research, the screening of a protein implicated in immune regulation, is currently underway.
"We are excited to work with Site Tx to explore new frontiers in immune-targeted drug discovery," said Dr. Brad Kairdolf, director of technology management & commercialization at Baylor College of Medicine Ventures. "This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to advancing innovative science with real-world impact."
Site Tx is funded by The Column Group, a life sciences venture capital firm.
