Proteorex, Corbin partner to discover ubiquitin-specific protease inhibitors

The collaboration will identify small molecules which efficiently inhibit an important and highly conserved ubiquitin protein. Proteorex will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, and downstream milestone-based payments.

Corbin focuses on a novel therapeutic approach to treat various inflammation-based diseases via inhibition of the ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15). Recently, this protease was shown to be key in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation and its inhibition might be key in preventing and treating neuroinflammatory-based diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.

Proteorex will utilize their award-winning targeted design chemistry platform that employs a simple two-step mechanism to tether small molecules to protein fragments to generate small molecule peptide conjugates (SMPCs).

Then the SMPCs are eventually converted to fully small molecule compounds that can be optimized further to become potent drugs in the form of oral pills. The ultimate goal will be to avoid the need for intravenous drugs, benefiting patients’ treatment and care.

Dr. Maxime Ranger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corbin, commented, “Corbin recognized the high value and great potential of Proteorex’s innovative technology platform to find novel small molecules inhibiting USP15.” Dr. Aman Iqbal, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Proteorex, added, “Through this collaboration, Proteorex’s mandate is to turn USP15 into a validated druggable target for the treatment of neuro-inflammation.”