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.

AbbVie’s ABBV-467 is a highly potent, selective MCL-1 (myeloid cell leukemia-1) inhibitor which entered the clinic in 2022 in a Ph. I trial in patients with advanced hematologic cancers. MCL-1 has had a rough time in the clinic with multiple trials being halted or terminated due to cardiac toxicity, which is suspected to be an on-target effect. AbbVie’s approach with ABBV-467 was to target a highly potent/short half-life compound which could induce rapid apoptosis and tumor regressions in a short exposure period before the onset of any adverse events. Is this the end for MCL-1?

NDI-101150 is an oral HPK1 inhibitor discovered by Nimbus Therapeutics and is currently in Ph. I/II clinical trial in advanced solid tumors. HPK1 is a compelling immuno-oncology target due to its critical role in regulating T-cells, B-cells, and dendritic cell-mediated immune responses. HPK1-deficient mice demonstrate enhanced anti-tumor T-cell responses and resistance to tumor growth. In this article, we detail the discovery of NDI-101150, as highlighted by Nimbus at the ACS Fall 2024 First-Time Disclosures session, interim results from the clinic, and more.

Bomedemstat (MK-3543, IMG-7289) is Merck’s irreversible LSD1 (lysine-specific demethylase 1) inhibitor for MPNs.

BMS-986365 is a potential best-in-class heterobifunctional ligand-directed degrader of WT AR. This full case study details how this heterobifunctional degrader was engineered to have low intrinsic agonism and exert direct antagonism of WT AR through occupancy of its ligand-binding domain, how the dual modality of BMS-986365 results in deep AR pathway inhibition and allows antagonism to reinforce degradation to combat compensatory resistance mechanisms, its attractive preclinical profile, interim clinical data, how it differentiates from Arvinas’ first-to-clinic AR degraders, and more!