Initial Therapeutics
Biotechnology company creating novel drugs that prevent the formation of difficult-to-drug proteins, targeting protein homeostasis with a cotranslational degradation approach.
Notes
Initial Therapeutics is developing a new class of drugs designed to prevent the formation of difficult-to-drug protein targets. Unlike traditional approaches that target already-formed proteins, Initial's technology intervenes during protein synthesis (cotranslational) to prevent disease-causing proteins from ever being made.
This approach could address targets that have been considered "undruggable" by conventional small molecules, antibodies, or even newer protein degradation approaches like PROTACs. The cotranslational degradation mechanism targets proteins while they are being synthesized on ribosomes.
The company represents a new frontier in protein homeostasis drug discovery, complementing other degradation approaches in the industry.
Team
- Experienced leadership team in drug discovery and protein biology
Additional Research Findings
- Founded circa 2021, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Cotranslational protein degradation approach
- Targets "undruggable" proteins
- Prevents protein formation during synthesis
- Novel mechanism distinct from PROTACs
- Early-stage drug discovery company
- Part of Cambridge biotech ecosystem
- Addresses major pharmaceutical challenge
Sources
Investors
| Name | Location | Type | Stages | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Tree Partners | New York, USA | biotech-focused | series-aseries-b+2 | 23 |