ABSTRACT
D-proteins: Using Stereochemistry to Avoid the Immune System and Traverse the Blood Brain Barrier
Small proteins made entirely of D-amino acids (D-proteins) rather than the naturally occurring L-amino acids are completely resistant to proteases which enable them to have longer half-lives and remain non-immunogenic. D-proteins are made by chemical synthesis and can be engineered to have antibody-like affinity and specificity using a process called mirror image phage display. Reflexion has used this technology to discover novel inhibitors of angiogenesis and immune cell activators. In contrast to antibodies, small D-proteins are able to cross the blood brain barrier. This presentation will describe several examples of D-proteins and their advantages in treating cancer.
BIO
Dana Ault-Riché is co-founder and CEO of Reflexion Pharmaceuticals, USA. Over his 20-year career, he has started five different biotechnology companies, in each case serving as the CEO for the company. His first three companies, Zyomyx, Diazyme, and Pointilliste, pioneered novel technology tool platforms for use in drug discovery. His last two companies, Ethos and Reflexion, use novel chemistries to discover and advance new molecular entities as therapeutics. He earned a PhD in Biochemistry (Molecular Genetics) from the University of Kansas under Professor Ronald Borchardt and completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University with Nobel Laureate Professor Arthur Kornberg.
D-proteins: Using Stereochemistry to Avoid the Immune System and Traverse the Blood Brain Barrier
Small proteins made entirely of D-amino acids (D-proteins) rather than the naturally occurring L-amino acids are completely resistant to proteases which enable them to have longer half-lives and remain non-immunogenic. D-proteins are made by chemical synthesis and can be engineered to have antibody-like affinity and specificity using a process called mirror image phage display. Reflexion has used this technology to discover novel inhibitors of angiogenesis and immune cell activators. In contrast to antibodies, small D-proteins are able to cross the blood brain barrier. This presentation will describe several examples of D-proteins and their advantages in treating cancer.
BIO
Dana Ault-Riché is co-founder and CEO of Reflexion Pharmaceuticals, USA. Over his 20-year career, he has started five different biotechnology companies, in each case serving as the CEO for the company. His first three companies, Zyomyx, Diazyme, and Pointilliste, pioneered novel technology tool platforms for use in drug discovery. His last two companies, Ethos and Reflexion, use novel chemistries to discover and advance new molecular entities as therapeutics. He earned a PhD in Biochemistry (Molecular Genetics) from the University of Kansas under Professor Ronald Borchardt and completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University with Nobel Laureate Professor Arthur Kornberg.