Drug discovery is entering a new phase, as emerging modalities expand the range of targets that can be addressed and open new possibilities beyond traditional small-molecule approaches. In this thought leadership interview, we are joined by Ingo Kober, Director of Emerging Modalities Pharmacology at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to explore how these advances are reshaping modern drug discovery.
Ingo shares his perspective on the evolving role of emerging modalities pharmacology, including how approaches such as targeted protein degradation, antibody-based modalities, covalent strategies, and proximity biology are helping researchers access targets once considered difficult or undruggable. The discussion highlights how these modalities are broadening the pharmacology toolkit and creating new opportunities to interrogate biology in more sophisticated ways.
The conversation also examines the challenges of developing and validating newer therapeutic approaches. For emerging modalities, success depends on strong mechanistic understanding, translational relevance, appropriate assay strategies, and clear criteria for progression. Ingo reflects on the need to move beyond conventional measures of potency and place greater emphasis on early mechanism interrogation, pathway modulation, and context-dependent biological readouts.
A key theme is the complexity of translating emerging modalities from early discovery into viable clinical candidates. This includes challenges around selectivity, whole-proteome or transcriptome-level assessment, non-linear PK/PD modelling, DMPK considerations, safety, formulation, and organisational alignment across discovery functions. Enabling technologies and platforms also play a critical role, whether developed in-house, accessed through partners, or advanced through academic collaborations.
Looking ahead, the interview considers what will differentiate companies that succeed in emerging modalities over the next five to ten years. Ingo highlights the importance of combining scientific depth with organisational agility, smart technology access, cross-functional collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. As the field continues to evolve, emerging modalities pharmacology is set to play a central role in expanding the future of drug discovery and enabling the development of new medicines for high-value, high-difficulty targets.
