Structure Guided AI Drug Design at the Protein/RNA Interface
Azor Biotek is unlocking the tremendous potential utility of RNA drug targets, tailor-making small molecules to address unmet treatment needs.
AI-designed assets constitute more than half of all therapeutics in development. Software designed for development of protein-targeting drugs have brought drugs to clinical use, but is inappropriate for the evaluation of RNA-targeting compounds. Azor Biotek applies RNA compatible parameters derived from cutting-edge molecular dynamic advancements to design novel chemical entities targeting RNA/protein interfaces.
RNA as drug targets
Small molecules account for >80% of all approved RNA-targeting therapies
(excluding vaccines) — but only 3% of funded RNA-acting assets in development. Every approved RNA-targeting small molecule targets a biological complex of non-coding RNA and protein — yet the vast majority of RNA-targeting strategies are investigating naked RNA. We modulate biological complexes at the protein/RNA interface with molecules evolutionarily optimized for exquisite specificity and bioavailability.
Live zebrafish screens
Early screening in zebrafish further selects for therapeutics with high bioavailability, and allow for in vivo quantification of concrete physiological hallmarks while providing approximations of the effective dose, toxicity, blood brain barrier penetrance and off-target effects.
Indicated Markets
miR-29 targeting therapeutics are being developed for pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, and Parkinson's disease.
Other miR species have been indicated as targets for a multitude of common conditions, and our platform is not limited to miR — the total potential market for RNA-targeting therapeutics designed with our technology is inconceivably vast.
Recognitions
PlanIT Competition Winner — Coast Capital Innovation
CDN Innovation C2C — Global Affairs Canada
BioInnovate Challenge — UvicBiomedical Engineering
Investor Readiness — Life Science BC
Invited Speaker — RNA-Targeted Drug Discovery
Invited guest — Worldwide Business with Kathy Ireland
Top 100 Lifescience Innovators — YoungStartup Ventures
Non-dilutive financial support for technology innovation
Sweet 16 Most Promising Canadian Biotech — GIIANT PHARMA
