Dundee University signs another deal with a Japanese pharma major

Japan’s Eisai (TYO: 4523) has entered into a collaboration research agreement with the University of Dundee in Scotland, UK, regarding proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) toward drug discovery in oncology area, marking a second Japanese deal with a Japanese drugmaker.

Eisai’s shares fell 1.19% to 6,146.00 yen following the announcement today.

PROTACs consist of two covalently linked protein-binding molecules: one capable of engaging an ubiquitin ligase (E3 ligase) and another that binds to a target protein meant for degradation. PROTACs work by recruiting an E3 ligase to tag the target protein for ubiquitination for degradation through the intracellular degradation system. It is hoped that research into PROTACs will lead to new drug discoveries for proteins present in cancer, which are difficult to treat with conventional small molecule inhibitors.