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Transforming Drug Discovery: Insights from Viva Biotech's GPCR and Targeted Protein Degradation Structural Biology Platforms

On December 10, 2024, Viva Biotech hosted a Viva BioInsights webinar, centered on the theme “Transforming Drug Discovery: Insights from Viva Biotech's GPCR and Targeted Protein Degradation Structural Biology Platforms”. Dr. Paul Wan, VP of Early Discovery and Business Development, and Dr. Yichen Zhang, Director of Biology, emphasized how Viva Biotech’s GPCR and Targeted Protein Degradation Structural Biology Platforms accelerate drug discovery and empower clients worldwide.

 

Dr. Paul Wan:

Viva Biotech's comprehensive early drug discovery platform is pivotal in advancing TPD and GPCR research. He also introduced structural insights into TPD and GPCRs, their market value, clinical potential and binding mechanisms, focusing on how Viva Biotech utilizes cryo-EM to resolve GPCR structures.

 

Dr. Yichen Zhang: 

Viva Biotech has developed strong protein and structure platforms for Targeted Protein Degradation, featuring a high-quality toolbox for TPD-related protein production and reduced workload. Leveraging advanced techniques such as crystallography and Cryo-EM, Viva Biotech excels in preparing GPCRs for functional and structural studies.

 

During the GPCR preparation process, Viva Biotech utilizes FSEC and TSA to  identify optimal clones and conditions with minimal protein quantities efficiently. Meanwhile, Viva Biotech combines nanodisc and SMALP methods to reconstitute GPCRs, enabling effective reconstitution under various conditions. An effective feedback cycle in the Cryo-EM phase further ensures the delivery of high-resolution structures. These capabilities allow the platform to study a broad range of GPCRs, analyzing interactions between compounds and their active states, further advancing protein structural biology and drug discovery.

Introduction
Dr. Paul Wan
VP of Early Discovery and Business Development

As part of a global team of business development, Dr. Paul Wan joined the Business Development Team after 25 years of experience in drug discovery in both an academic and commercial setting. His work at the Institute of Cancer Research London in elucidating the structure and mode of action of B-raf kinase led to the development of the first-in-class approved drug Vemurafenib. Since leaving academia Paul has headed protein, biophysics and structural biology departments in AstraZeneca and Charles River Laboratories. He has been collaborating with clients within a CRO environment for over 10 years, enabling and delivering into Early Discovery hit to lead projects across a wide therapeutic landscape.  

Dr. Yichen Zhang
Director of Biology

Dr. Yichen Zhang is a highly experienced structural biologist and director of biology at Viva Biotech, leading a team focused on protein production, characterization, and crystallography. His expertise lies in the structural characterization of proteins and protein complexes and structure-based drug development. Jerry’s work encompasses a wide range of diverse targets, including membrane proteins, synthetic lethality proteins, and degraders based on targeted protein degradation technologies, etc. His team has delivered over 1000 protein-ligand structures in the past two years, enabling two compounds to enter IND and Phase I clinical trials.

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