Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 7th Annual

Degraders & Molecular Glues

Part 1: Design and Optimization of Novel Degraders, Glues, and Conjugates

September 23-24, 2025

Part 2: New Targets, Ligases, Assays for Induced Proximity and Degradation

September 24-25, 2025

Hetero bifunctional molecules like proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), monovalent molecules like molecular glues, and other novel conjugates and modalities are utilizing the ubiquitin-proteasome, lysosome, and autophagy systems to seek out previously “undruggable” targets for therapeutic intervention. Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s two-part conference on Degraders and Molecular Glues brings together experts from industry and academia to discuss both induced proximity and targeted protein degradation as viable therapeutic approaches.

Part 1:

Part 1 will discuss the design and optimization of new monovalent molecular glues and heterobifunctional degraders and conjugates. Challenges that exist in terms of specificity, stability, biodistribution, and penetration of these molecules for better in vitro to in vivo translation will be discussed.

Coverage will include, but is not limited to:

Design: synthesis of novel PROTACs, rational design of molecular glues and conjugates
Induced proximity: covalent strategies, tools, and rules for innovative linker design
Conjugates: ADC-PROTACs, peptide-PROTACs, aptamer functionalized PROTACs
AI/ML tools for designing degraders and predicting ternary complex formation
Structural characterization: new assays for structural and mechanistic studies
Optimization: ADME/DMPK, stability, biodistribution, oral availability
Tissue specificity: in situ activated PROTACs and other approaches
Advances in PROTAC Delivery: new formulations, nanocarriers
Safety concerns: in vitro to in vivo translation challenges

Part 2:

Part 2 focuses on emerging assays and screening strategies for identifying new drug targets, ligases, and neosubstrates for induced proximity and targeted degradation.

Coverage will include, but is not limited to:

Undruggable targets: KRAS, extracellular targets, bacterial/viral targets, transcription factors membrane proteins, cell surface receptors
Novel ligases: targeting tissue specific ligases, assays for DCAF1, FOXO3, TRIM2, and other ligases
Going beyond E3 ligases for degradation; exploring ubiquitin editing
Exploring degraders and glues for non-oncology indications
Screening: proximity assays, chemoproteomics and AI/ML to identify novel ligases and targets
Finding new degradation pathways: Structural and mechanistic assays and techniques
PROTACs for combination therapy (enhance internalization of ADCs)

The deadline for priority consideration is March 7, 2025.

All proposals are subject to review by session chairpersons and/or the Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure the overall quality of the conference program. Additionally, as per Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s policy, a select number of vendors and consultants who provide products and services will be offered opportunities for podium presentation slots based on a variety of Corporate Sponsorships.

Opportunities for Participation: