Session Summary
Keynote presentation by Patrick Reid, Ph.D., President, CEO & Chairman at PeptiDream, Inc.
Summarized by biotech researcher and writer Catarina Carrao
Dr. Patrick Reid, Ph.D., President, CEO & Chairman at PeptiDream, Inc., first talked about the Peptide Discovery Platform System (PDPS) of constrained/macrocyclic peptide hit-finding platform developed at PeptiDream Inc. Founded as a platform company around the PDPS technology (simplified version of in vitro mRNA display), the initial years of its development focused on proving/improving the technology. There was considerable focus on expanding the number of AA building blocks—libraries from macrocycles to helical to beta-hairpin to lassos to bicyclic, etc.—as understanding the pros and cons of the size effect of such molecules.
Constrained/macrocyclic peptides have similar affinity and selectivity to most antibodies, hitting a unique set of sites or epitopes on targets with compelling stability, solubility, PK/PD, and different possible administration routes. Since researchers at PetiDream didn’t fully understand what these molecules could do, and what the best targets would be from an early on phase, there was a decision to take on a collaborative business model approach. In this way, there was no need to raise external capital, outside validation of the company would be a reality and a learning curve could be established from the partnerships.
As such, PeptiDream aimed at the most challenging targets, and addressing fundamental questions.
Over the years, PeptiDream was very fortunate with its pharma collaborations, with an increased recognition of peptides. As such, from 2013, it started to out-license the PDPS technology to interested partners with extra revenue and platform leverage; and, from 2016, it started in-house programs of strategic collaborations with shared costs and greater ownership.
Over time, PeptiDream could expand its strategic capabilities; and in 2017, a custom-designed facility was created, together with the establishment of PeptiStar in 2019. This is a joint venture between PeptiDream, Shionogi and Sekisui Chemical, aimed to resolve a key challenge of peptide manufacturing.
Three drug discovery approaches derived from hit peptides: (1) peptide drugs, (2) small molecule drugs and (3) peptide drug conjugates (PDC). In relation to PDC, PeptiDream is unlocking the potential of a wide-range of combinations in the field of targeted medicines, with compelling properties/attributes, diverse payloads and linker combinations, bi-, tri- and multi-functional molecules.
As such, PeptiDream currently has 120 programs in different therapeutic areas, spread across a diverse array of partners with more than 1500 people currently working on its development programs.
Recently, PeptiGrowth has spun from PeptiDream’s hub, with the focus aimed at developing peptide replacements/alternatives to growth factors. The goal of xeno-free, animal-free growth factor replacements, and the expanding number of applications of such agents, is enormous (therapeutics, diagnostic, cell therapy, regenerative medicine, cell culture, food science/lab grown meat, etc.).
Most recently, in November 2020, PeptiAID was established as a second spin-out from PeptiDream, with a focus on the rapid development of therapeutics against COVID-19. This is a consortium with four other companies and the Japan’s Institute of Infectious Disease, for the establishment of a rapid response platform for not only COVID-19 but future infectious disease challenges.