Paris-based Iktos, a leader in AI-powered drug design, and Monheim’s Cube Biotech, an expert in membrane protein technologies, have announced a groundbreaking collaboration. The partnership aims to discover novel small molecule agonists of the Amylin Receptor, a promising target for cardiometabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic hepatitis (MASH).
This collaboration combines Iktos’ advanced AI-driven drug discovery and robotic synthesis platform with Cube Biotech’s NativeMP™ technology, which preserves the biological integrity of membrane proteins. Together, these technologies promise to accelerate drug discovery, tackling one of the most complex areas in pharmaceutical research.
The Amylin Receptor plays a critical role in regulating appetite and satiety, making it a high-potential target for addressing obesity, which affects over a third of the global population. Current therapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, face limitations due to high costs, accessibility issues, and side effects.
Through their collaboration, Iktos and Cube Biotech aim to develop orally administered small molecule agonists. These therapies could offer scalable, cost-effective solutions, overcoming the challenges associated with existing treatments.
Iktos CEO Yann Gaston-Mathé emphasized the significance of the partnership: “We are excited to add the Amylin Receptor to our pipeline. This collaboration extends our platform’s reach to address complex targets and drive innovation in drug discovery.”
Iktos leverages its proprietary 3D generative chemistry technology for molecule design, which natively accounts for protein flexibility during optimization. This represents a significant advantage over other models, such as AlphaFold, which can only be applied post-molecule generation.
Meanwhile, Cube Biotech’s NativeMP™ technology preserves the natural configuration of membrane proteins, enabling precise functional assays and structural analysis. Dr. Barbara Maertens, COO of Cube Biotech, stated, “Our expertise in protein stabilization and structural analysis will validate and accelerate the discovery of small molecule agonists. This collaboration is setting a new standard for efficiency and innovation.”
By integrating cutting-edge AI with advanced protein technologies, Iktos and Cube Biotech aim to overcome the historical inefficiencies in drug discovery. Their focus extends to targeting complex proteins, including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), ion channels, and other challenging drug targets.
This partnership also sets the stage for a broader collaborative offering to pharmaceutical companies, combining the strengths of both platforms to tackle the most demanding drug discovery programs.
As obesity and its related disorders continue to strain healthcare systems globally, the partnership between Iktos and Cube Biotech holds immense potential. Their combined expertise could redefine how pharmaceutical companies approach drug discovery, delivering innovative treatments for complex and underserved conditions.
By addressing longstanding challenges and focusing on scalable solutions, this collaboration could transform the landscape of cardiometabolic disorder therapies, offering hope to millions worldwide.
