Jens Frauenfeld, CEO and Founder of Salipro Biotech, delivered this presentation on enabling hit identification of difficult-to-target membrane proteins. Frauenfeld began by introducing Salipro Biotech, a company based in Stockholm, which aims to make these once-considered undruggable targets druggable. These proteins, located on the surface of cells, are promising drug targets but challenging to work with due to their instability when isolated from their lipid environment.
Frauenfeld explained that traditional methods of isolating membrane proteins often result in the loss of stability and functionality. To address this, Salipro Biotech have developed the Salipro platform, which uses a soluble scaffold protein to stabilise membrane proteins in their native lipid environment. This technology allows the proteins to be used in drug discovery processes without losing their structural integrity.
The presentation included several case studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Salipro technology. One such case study involved the CXCR4 protein, a GPCR associated with cancer and immunology. Frauenfeld detailed how Salipro Biotech successfully stabilised and purified the wild-type version of CXCR4, maintaining its stability and functionality for drug discovery. The company collaborated with Thermo Fisher to determine the structure of CXCR4, highlighting the importance of co-purified lipids in maintaining the protein's oligomeric state.
Another case study focused on GPR75, a target in the obesity field. Frauenfeld described how the Salipro platform stabilised GPR75, making it suitable for drug discovery. The technology was also used in various steps of drug discovery, including purification, structural analysis, functional validation, and screening for both small molecules and biologics.
Frauenfeld emphasised the versatility of the Salipro technology, which can be used in multiple drug discovery processes. He highlighted collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies like Boehringer Ingelheim, Daewoong, and Sanofi, showcasing the technology's potential in advancing drug discovery.
