Cellestia Biotech launches new drug discovery program to target Transcription Factors

Basel, Switzerland – December 7th 2020 – Cellestia Biotech, specialized in targeting Transcription Factors (TFs) involved in human diseases initiates a new drug discovery program focused on TFs. The Program, which addresses unmet medical needs in cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders (AIIDs), is launched in collaboration with Prof. Vincent Zoete from the Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne and the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and co-financed by Innosuisse. Prof. Zoete’ laboratory specializes in the development of computer-aided algorithms, programs and databases for protein engineering and drug design.
Cellestia has in-depth experience in the area of TFs. Cellestia’s lead molecule CB-103 is a first-in-class inhibitor of the NOTCH TF complex. Clinical phase 1 data showed that CB 103 is the first drug that can control oncogenic pathway activation effectively and safely, in absence of any severe toxicities.
The new drug discovery program targets a TF called MYB. MYB is a validated target for drug development in cancer. The protein is constitutively activated in several human cancers (ACC, BC, AML, Angiocentric gliomas) due to gene fusions and overexpression. The two-year program aims to design, discover and develop drugs against TF MYB using state of the art computer aided drug design (CADD) and novel chemistry.

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