# IRF-5 antagonist

> A small molecule at the hit-to-lead stage targeting the intrinsically disordered transcription factor IRF-5 to dampen the interferon and inflammatory signalling that drives autoimmune disease.

[View this page on Peptone](https://peptone.io/pipeline/irf-5/)

## Program facts

- Target: IRF-5
- Modality: Small molecule
- Indication: Autoimmune and inflammatory disease, including systemic lupus erythematosus
- Stage: Hit to Lead

## Target

Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF-5) is a transcription factor with intrinsically disordered regions that switch its activity on downstream of innate immune signalling. Common IRF-5 variants are among the strongest genetic links to systemic lupus erythematosus and related autoimmune conditions, yet the protein presents no classical binding pocket for conventional design.

## Approach

Peptone applies its Product Engine to characterise the conformational ensemble of IRF-5 and to search for binders that block the interactions it needs to activate inflammatory gene programmes. This extends the same disorder-first discovery work into immunology and inflammation.

## Preclinical

Hit-to-lead work is focused on confirming and triaging hits against defined disordered regions of the protein.

## Development Plan

This example program is at hit to lead, where confirmed hits are evaluated before progression into a dedicated chemical series.

This is an illustrative example program used to demonstrate the pipeline
layout. It does not represent an approved or actual Peptone program.