This is an illustrative example program used to demonstrate the pipeline layout. It does not represent an approved or actual Peptone program.
Hit to Lead
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.
- Target
- Modality
- Indication
- Stage
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.