Baylor College of Medicine has entered into a collaboration with Site Tx, Inc. to develop new small-molecule drugs aimed at precisely modulating immune responses in various diseases.
The project centers on the use of DNA-encoded library screening and the synthesis of drug-like compounds to identify candidates for several protein targets. Research is being led by Dr. Damian Young, director of the Center for Drug Discovery at Baylor, and Dr. Martin Matzuk, professor and chair of pathology and immunology at Baylor.
Baylor’s Center for Drug Discovery maintains a DNA-encoded library containing more than 7 billion unique compounds. This resource allows researchers to rapidly screen and pinpoint highly selective molecules that could serve as potential therapies, which accelerates early-stage drug discovery efforts.
Site Tx, Inc. uses technology developed in the Marson Lab at University of California San Francisco Gladstone Institutes to decode the genetic architecture governing immune cell function down to the single-nucleotide level. The company employs high-throughput functional genomics in human cells to build a detailed blueprint for targeted modulation of immune responses.
“The scale and diversity of our libraries gives us an unparalleled ability to identify novel small molecule drug candidates. Working together with Site Tx allows us to apply this capability to a cutting-edge platform focused on immune modulation, with the potential to unlock transformative therapies.”
The first phase of research involves screening a protein associated with immune regulation.
“We are excited to work with Site Tx to explore new frontiers in immune-targeted drug discovery,” said Dr. Brad Kairdolf, director of technology management & commercialization at Baylor College of Medicine Ventures. “This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to advancing innovative science with real-world impact.”
Site Tx receives funding from The Column Group, a life sciences venture capital firm.
