Anaconda Pharma

 
While small molecule drugs classically target enzymes, cellular receptors and ion channels, the majority of biological functions are facilitated by proteins interacting with other proteins. Antagonists of protein:protein interactions that have reached the market include therapeutic antibodies. Antibodies, however, have some drawbacks: high cost of production, lack of oral bioavailability and limited penetration inside of cells – i.e. a capacity to target only extracellular protein:protein interactions.

Small molecules are clearly a better alternative to developing biologics that modulate protein:protein interactions, but contact surfaces involved in protein:protein interactions are large (around 1000 Ų) and small molecules are generally thought not to be able to disrupt interactions between proteins. 

Anaconda Pharma has identified one such drug’able protein:protein interaction - the interaction between the HPV E1 and E2 proteins - which is essential for viral DNA replication and HPV proliferation. Using chemo-informatics, proprietary screens and evaluation assays, Anaconda Pharma has identified a chemical series and selected a lead drug candidate that specifically inhibits this interaction and viral replication.  We have also identified other protein:protein interactions that may be drug’able, thereby providing a means to target therapeutic fields such as influenza, dengue and HCV.