Degraders & Molecular Glues – Part 2
Pursuing Challenging Drug Targets, Exploring New Ligases and Degradation Pathways
4/15/2026 - April 16, 2026 ALL TIMES PDT
Bi-functional degraders like Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), monovalent degraders like molecular glues and other emerging degrader modalities are being used to hijack the ubiquitin-proteasome, lysosome, and autophagy systems for targeted protein degradation. They are seeking out previously “undruggable” targets for therapeutic intervention by exploring novel chemistries and chemical spaces and using innovative assays and screening tools to better understand and predict complex cellular interactions. This two-part conference on Degraders & Molecular Glues brings together experts in the field to discuss opportunities and challenges involved in pursuing targeted degradation and induced proximity as viable therapeutic strategies.

Wednesday, April 15

Registration Open

Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall with Navigating Chemistry Careers Breakout Tables

Enjoy a dessert break in the Exhibit Hall! Network with our sponsors and exhibitors or join a moderated roundtable to talk about career challenges with fellow scientists. The discussions are offered in-person only and will not be recorded. 

EMERGING MODALITIES FOR DEGRADATION

Welcome Remarks

Chairperson's Remarks

Dominic J. Reynolds, PhD, CSO, R&D, Remix Therapeutics , CSO , R&D , Remix Therapeutics

FEATURED PRESENTATION: Development of Degrader-Antibody Conjugates (DACs)

Photo of Shaomeng Wang, PhD, Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology & Medicinal Chemistry; Co-Director, Molecular Therapeutics Program, University of Michigan , Warner Lambert Parke Davis Professor of Medicine , Hematology & Oncology , University of Michigan
Shaomeng Wang, PhD, Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology & Medicinal Chemistry; Co-Director, Molecular Therapeutics Program, University of Michigan , Warner Lambert Parke Davis Professor of Medicine , Hematology & Oncology , University of Michigan

While protein degraders are typically more potent and efficacious than traditional small-molecule inhibitors, there are significant barriers for their successful development as new therapies for human diseases, including more pronounced toxicities against normal tissues for many protein targets and sub-optimal pharmacokinetics. Degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs) have emerged as a new therapeutic modality by taking advantage of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and protein degraders. In this talk, I will present our development of degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs) targeting transcriptional factors for the treatment of human cancers.

Next-Generation Antibody Degraders: Design Principles for Tissue-Specific Receptor Degradation and ADC Payload Delivery

Photo of Felipe de Sousa e Melo, PhD, Director, Large Molecule Modality, Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen , Director , Large Molecule Modalities, Induced Proximity Platform , Amgen Inc
Felipe de Sousa e Melo, PhD, Director, Large Molecule Modality, Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen , Director , Large Molecule Modalities, Induced Proximity Platform , Amgen Inc

We engineered bispecific antibody degraders to achieve tissue-restricted degradation of cell-surface receptor targets. These molecules drive receptor internalization and lysosomal clearance while minimizing toxicity and enhancing specificity. They can also be adapted into next-generation ADCs to deliver potent, selective efficacy. This versatile platform integrates cell surface receptor degradation with payload delivery, advancing safer and more effective antibody-based degraders.

Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

Strategies to Drug RNA-Protein Complexes with Small Molecules

Photo of Dominic J. Reynolds, PhD, CSO, R&D, Remix Therapeutics , CSO , R&D , Remix Therapeutics
Dominic J. Reynolds, PhD, CSO, R&D, Remix Therapeutics , CSO , R&D , Remix Therapeutics

REM-422, a first-in-class mRNA Degrader of the MYB Oncogene, is being developed by Remix Therapeutics for the treatment of ACC and AML/HR-MDS. The REMaster platform identifies compounds that address undruggable, high unmet medical-need targets. These next-generation drug discovery programs are enabled by a suite of biophysical assays and expand the scope of pharmacologically tractable splice modulator modalities.

From Membranes to Lysosomes: Rewriting Protein Fate with Small-Molecule LYMTACs

Photo of Dhanusha Nalawansha, PhD, Senior Scientist, Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Inc. , Senior Scientist , Induced Proximity Platform , Amgen Inc.
Dhanusha Nalawansha, PhD, Senior Scientist, Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Inc. , Senior Scientist , Induced Proximity Platform , Amgen Inc.

LYMTACs are heterobifunctional small molecules that harness lysosomal membrane proteins (LMPs) to relocalize and degrade otherwise undruggable membrane proteins. We demonstrate that oncogenic KRASG12D signaling can be effectively inhibited by LYMTACs, which act through both target relocalization and degradation. Extending this approach across diverse targets and LMPs, we establish LYMTACs as a versatile small molecule-based platform for targeted lysosomal degradation of challenging membrane proteins, expanding therapeutic possibilities.

Breakout Discussions (In-Person Only)

Breakout Discussions are informal, moderated discussions, allowing participants to exchange ideas and experiences and develop future collaborations around a focused topic. Each breakout will be led by a facilitator who keeps the discussion on track and the group engaged. Please visit the Breakout Discussions page on the conference website for a complete listing of topics and descriptions. Breakout Discussions are offered in-person only.

In-Person Breakouts Block

Close of Day

Dinner Short Courses*

Recommended Pre-Conference Short Course*

SC5: Protein Degraders: An in vivo ADME and Safety Perspective

*Premium Pricing or separate registration required. See Short Courses page for details.

Thursday, April 16

Registration and Morning Coffee

Plenary Session

PLENARY KEYNOTE SESSION

Plenary Welcome Remarks from Lead Content Director

Anjani Shah, PhD, Senior Conference Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Senior Conference Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Directed and Random Walks in Chemical Space

Photo of Brian K Shoichet, PhD, Professor & Chair, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) , Professor , Pharmaceutical Chemistry , University of California San Francisco
Brian K Shoichet, PhD, Professor & Chair, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) , Professor , Pharmaceutical Chemistry , University of California San Francisco

In the last six years, docking libraries have expanded from three million to over a trillion molecules.  In controlled experiments, we compare billion vs. million molecule library docking on the same targets, demonstrating that as the libraries grow so too do hit-rates and affinities.  I consider how and if new ML methods separate true from false positives in these campaigns, and how good our subsequent ligand optimization strategies are versus what we might expect against a random background (surprisingly unimpressive).

Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing and Best of Show Awards Announced

MOLECULAR GLUES FOR NOVEL TARGETS

Chairperson's Remarks

Jin Wang, PhD, Director, Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine , Director , Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology , Baylor College of Medicine

Molecular Glue Degraders Overcome Target-Engaging Limits of Traditional Inhibitors

Photo of Yong Cang, PhD, Professor, ShanghaiTech University; Co-Founder & CSO, Degron Therapeutics , Co-Founder & CSO , Degron Therapeutics
Yong Cang, PhD, Professor, ShanghaiTech University; Co-Founder & CSO, Degron Therapeutics , Co-Founder & CSO , Degron Therapeutics

Roughly 75% of disease targets are considered difficult-to-drug or insufficiently drugged. Molecular glue degraders provide an unique approach to engage these targets. I will use case studies from Degron’s internal pipeline programs to illustrate the power of molecular glue degraders to overcome such challenges and even illuminate novel target biology in disease treatment.

FEATURED PRESENTATION: Modulation of Cancer-Specific Interactomes via Chemical Switches and Molecular Glues

Photo of Arvin Dar, PhD, Professor, Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , Professor , Chemical Biology , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Arvin Dar, PhD, Professor, Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , Professor , Chemical Biology , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Chemically-induced proximity of bimolecular complexes is a powerful modality to rewire signal transduction networks. Most extensively studied in the context of protein degradation, the full scope and potential of chemically induced proximity for novel targets and pharmacological mechanisms has yet to be realized. I will discuss structure-based strategies to advance chemically induced proximity in several complementary areas, including as an approach to overcome drug resistance and as a mechanism to achieve ultra-selective modulators of kinase targets.

Protein Relocalization Using Covalent Molecular Glues 

Photo of Ken Hsu, PhD, Stephen F. and Fay Evans Martin Endowed Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin , Associate Professor, Stephen F. and Fay Evans Martin Endowed Professorship, CPRIT Scholar , Chemistry , University of Texas
Ken Hsu, PhD, Stephen F. and Fay Evans Martin Endowed Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin , Associate Professor, Stephen F. and Fay Evans Martin Endowed Professorship, CPRIT Scholar , Chemistry , University of Texas

We discovered a covalent GSTP1 inhibitor that functions as a molecular glue via a ligand-induced protein tethering (LIPT) mechanism. Electrophilic modification of GSTP1 induces reversible disulfide-dependent protein–protein interactions enriched in nuclear and splicing factors. LIPT relocalizes splicing factors, altering lipid metabolism and suppressing proliferation in LIPT-sensitive cancer cells. These findings highlight covalent molecular glues as a strategy to modulate neo-PPIs and cancer metabolism.

Transition to Lunch

Transition to VC Panel

VC Panel

INSIGHTS FROM VENTURE CAPITALISTS

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Venture Capitalist Insights into Drug Discovery Trends 

Daniel A. Erlanson, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer, Frontier Medicines Corporation , Chief Innovation Officer , Frontier Medicines Corporation

Panelists:

Chris De Savi, PhD, CSO Partner, Curie Bio , CSO Partner , Curie.Bio

James Edwards, PhD, Venture Partner, Samsara BioCapital , Venture Partner , Samsara BioCapital

Sarah Hymowitz, PhD, Partner, The Column Group , Partner , The Column Group

Jamie Kasuboski, PhD, Partner, Luma Group , Partner , Luma Group

Ken Lin, CEO & Founder, ABIES Capital , CEO & Founder , ABIES Capital

Dessert Break with Meet the VC Panelists and Poster Awards

GLUE DISCOVERY & OPTIMIZATION

Chairperson's Remarks

Maria Soloveychik, PhD, Co-Founder & CEO, SyntheX , Co Founder & CEO , SyntheX

Transforming Molecular Glue Discovery with an Empirical, Cell-Based, Discovery Platform

Photo of Maria Soloveychik, PhD, Co-Founder & CEO, SyntheX , Co Founder & CEO , SyntheX
Maria Soloveychik, PhD, Co-Founder & CEO, SyntheX , Co Founder & CEO , SyntheX

We present ToRNeDO, SyntheX's empirical, cell-based platform that revolutionizes molecular glue discovery by eliminating reliance on serendipitous discoveries. ToRNeDO enables functional selection of molecular glues that use specific target/ligase pairs. The system is also used to map novel degrons for rational glue design. Using this platform, we discovered highly selective molecular glues against previously untargeted effectors and E3s, demonstrating ToRNeDO's potential to unlock new therapeutic strategies through systematic, directed molecular glue development.

Leveraging High-Throughput Proteomics and AI to Accelerate Molecular-Glue Discovery

Photo of Jin Wang, PhD, Director, Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine , Director , Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology , Baylor College of Medicine
Jin Wang, PhD, Director, Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine , Director , Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology , Baylor College of Medicine

Key topics of discussion include the power of high-throughput proteomics for unbiased discovery of novel neosubstrates, the application of AlphaFold-like algorithms to predict ternary complex structures, and the use of direct-to-biology strategies to expand the chemical space. These integrated approaches are paving the way for the next generation of molecular glue therapeutics.

A Molecular Clamp Targeting the TOE1:Sm Complex Imparts Tunable Regulation of Splicing

Photo of Haoxin Li, PhD, Damon Runyon Post-Doctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Dr. Benjamin Cravatt, Scripps Research Institute , Damon Runyon and NCI K99/R00 Fellow , the Scripps Research Institute
Haoxin Li, PhD, Damon Runyon Post-Doctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Dr. Benjamin Cravatt, Scripps Research Institute , Damon Runyon and NCI K99/R00 Fellow , the Scripps Research Institute

snRNAs are required for the structure and function of the spliceosome. Here we report a potent and selective covalent ligand that targets TOE1, a 3’ RNA exonuclease, only when bound to the Sm complex. We find that this compound acts as a “molecular clamp”, dramatically stabilizing TOE1-Sm complex interactions and triggering the excessive trimming of snRNA 3’ termini in cells. Our findings may have therapeutic implications for splicing-related diseases.

Networking Refreshment Break

DEL FOR TARGETED PROTEIN DEGRADATION

Phenotypic DEL in Droplets for TPD and Beyond

Mihaljo Todorovic, PhD, Principal Scientist II, Medicinal Chemistry, Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research , Principal Scientist II , Medicinal Chemistry , Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research

This talk will describe microfluidics-enabled cellular phenotypic DEL workflow—MicDrop. We will introduce cellular DEL screen in droplets, followed by results from a cellular protein degradation screen with a validation library, as well as another set of screens with a prospective library. Our results show the benefits of bead replicates and how this new paradigm of DEL screen can accelerate the field of molecular glue discovery for TPD and beyond.

Picowell DEL Screening Enables the Discovery of Cereblon Modulator PLX-66140, a Potent and Selective CDK2 Degrader for CCNE1-Amplified Cancers

Photo of Jean-Francois Brazeau, PhD, Director, Medicinal Chemistry, Plexium Inc. , Director , Medicinal Chemistry , Plexium Inc.
Jean-Francois Brazeau, PhD, Director, Medicinal Chemistry, Plexium Inc. , Director , Medicinal Chemistry , Plexium Inc.

Herein, we report the discovery of PLX-66140, a potent CDK2 cereblon-based degrader. Using Plexium’s picowell DEL screening platform, we identified multiple CDK2 degrader hits. Medicinal chemistry optimization resulted in the identification of a selective and orally bioavailable drug development candidate. Oral administration of PLX-66140 in tumor-bearing mice demonstrated robust target degradation and enhanced anti-tumor activity over ATP-competitive inhibitors in multiple CCNE1-amplified mouse xenograft models at well tolerated doses.

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Bead-Based DEL Platforms for Molecular Glue Discovery

Ken Yamada, PhD, Associate Director, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis BioMedical Research , Associate Director , Global Discovery Chemistry , Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Inc

Close of Conference


For more details on the conference, please contact:
Tanuja Koppal, PhD
Senior Conference Director
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Email: tkoppal@healthtech.com

For sponsorship information, please contact:
Kristin Skahan
Senior Business Development Manager
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Phone: (+1) 781-972-5431
Email: kskahan@healthtech.com