A Small Molecule Drug Discovery Platform to Target Cancer-Causing microRNAs.

Nymirum, Inc., Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Abstract

Project Summary Abstract The pharmaceutical and biotech industries are targeting various RNA classes to develop new drugs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in widespread regulation of cell function and contribute to a spectrum of human diseases, especially cancer, making miRNAs a drug-target class of particular interest. Due to delivery issues and poor bioavailability, oligonucleotides-based therapies have proven unsuccessful in widespread miRNA targeting. As such, pharmaceutical and biotech companies are pursuing miRNA-targeted small molecule therapies. However, to efficiently identify drug-like miRNA-targeting small molecules that therapeutically alter biological activity, new tools are in demand. To meet this demand, Nymirum is developing the first ever platform to rapidly, accurately, and cost-efficiently identify and optimize small molecules that therapeutically target cancer-causing microRNAs.