Top Drug Discovery Targets: A Comprehensive List & Companies Involved

Top Targets in Drug Discovery and Design: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide provides an overview of popular targets in drug discovery and design, ranked by their prominence in current research and development. We'll delve into the key molecules like CD47 and outline the companies actively developing therapies targeting these pathways.

Popular Drug Discovery Targets:

1. CD47 - A protein that acts as a 'don't eat me' signal, preventing immune cells from engulfing cancer cells. It's a promising target for developing cancer immunotherapies.
2. HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2) - A protein that plays a role in breast and other cancers. HER2-positive cancers often respond well to targeted therapies.
3. PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death Protein 1) - A protein that helps regulate immune responses. Blocking PD-1 has shown great promise in cancer immunotherapy.
4. EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) - A protein involved in cell growth and division. EGFR mutations can lead to cancer, making it a target for cancer treatments.
5. BCR-ABL (Breakpoint Cluster Region-Abelson) - A fusion protein associated with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Drugs targeting BCR-ABL have revolutionized CML treatment.
6. BRAF (B-Raf Proto-Oncogene) - A protein that plays a role in cell signaling and can be mutated in certain cancers.
7. ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) - A protein involved in cell growth and development. ALK mutations can lead to various cancers, including lung cancer.
8. VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) - A protein that stimulates the formation of new blood vessels. VEGF inhibitors are used to treat various cancers and eye diseases.
9. PARP (Poly ADP Ribose Polymerase) - An enzyme involved in DNA repair. PARP inhibitors are used to treat certain cancers, especially those with BRCA gene mutations.
10. PI3K (Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase) - A protein involved in cell signaling. PI3K inhibitors are being investigated for various cancers and other diseases.

Companies Developing Therapies Targeting These Targets:

CD47:

• Trillium Therapeutics
• Forty Seven Inc.

HER2:

• Genentech
• Roche

PD-1:

• Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Merck

EGFR:

• AstraZeneca
• Pfizer

BCR-ABL:

• Novartis
• Pfizer

BRAF:

• Roche
• Novartis

ALK:

• Pfizer
• Novartis

VEGF:

• Roche
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

PARP:

• AstraZeneca
• GlaxoSmithKline

PI3K:

• Novartis
• Gilead Sciences

Important Note: The popularity of targets in drug discovery and design is constantly evolving. This list is meant to be a starting point for further exploration and may not be exhaustive.