Arvinas’ ARV-393 is an orally bioavailable PROTAC that degrades BCL6 via CRBN-mediated ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation intended for the treatment of NHL. At the AACR San Diego 2024 meeting, Arvinas disclosed the structure and discovery story of this molecule, which exhibits first-in-class potential. This article covers the key SAR observations that led to the invention of this orally bioavailable PROTAC®, its performance in a triple-hit, high-grade BCL and R-CHOP-resistant cell line, and why sustaining BCL6 knockdown beyond 24 hours was critical for the success of this program.

Kymera’s KT-413 is a CRBN-based dual-mechanism degrader that degrades both IRAK4 and the transcription factors IKZF1/3, acting as an IMiD, with promising clinical activity for the treatment of ABC-like subtype of DLBCL. This fascinating case study demonstrates how a dual-mechanism degrader of IKZF1/3 and IRAK4 can be designed to maximize NF-κB inhibition while simultaneously upregulating the Type I interferon response. This approach restores the apoptotic response and enables oncogene-mediated cell death, resulting in a robust antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effect in MYD88 mutants.

Pfizer’s oral, CDK4-selective inhibitor PF-07220060 has the potential to revolutionize treatment of HR+/HER2- breast cancer through avoiding the neutropenia DLTs associated with SoC CDK4/6 drugs and permitting greater coverage of the desired CDK4 target. Our full article outlines data presented at AACR 2024, covering the molecule’s course from in silico-informed screen, through structurally enabled optimization against CDK6 and GSK-3β to promising preclinical profile. Fresh clinical data showed efficacy and tolerability supporting PF-07220060's clinical progression.

Vactosertib is an orally bioavailable TGFβ type I receptor kinase inhibitor, that has demonstrated safety, tolerability, and clinical efficacy in combination with pomalidomide in a Ph. Ib trial for RRMM.

VVD-214/RO7589831 is an oral covalent, reversible, and allosteric inhibitor of WRN helicase discovered by the San Diego-based biotech Vividion Therapeutics and being developed by Roche for tumors marked by microsatellite instability and/or mismatch repair deficiency. Vividion has utilized its chemoproteomics platform to discover and develop novel treatment options for oncology targets. The structure and initial preclinical pharmacology data for VVD-214 were recently disclosed at the AACR Annual Meeting 2024 in San Diego. VVD-214 is currently being evaluated in a Ph. I trial.